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Rubus ursinus - Cham.&Schltdl.

Common Name Pacific Dewberry, California blackberry
Family Rosaceae
USDA hardiness 6-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Waste places, fields, canyons etc below 1000 metres[71].
Range South-western N. America - California to Oregon.
Edibility Rating    (3 of 5)
Other Uses    (1 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rubus ursinus Pacific Dewberry, California blackberry


Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database
Rubus ursinus Pacific Dewberry, California blackberry
Mark W. Skinner @ USDA-NRCS PLANTS Database

 

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Summary


Physical Characteristics

 
Rubus ursinus is a deciduous Shrub.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 7 and is not frost tender. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Habitats

Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Fruit  Shoots  Stem
Edible Uses: Drink  Tea

Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc[177, 183]. The fruit can also be dried for later use[183]. A sweet flavour[11, 62, 101, 105]. The fruit can vary in flavour, the best forms have a large, sweet and well flavoured fruit[183], whilst some forms are large but sour or insipid[2]. Young shoots - raw or cooked like asparagus[183]. They are harvested in the spring as they emerge through the soil and are still tender. A tea is made from the fresh or dried leaves[177, 183, 257]. The young shoots can be made into a tea, usually mixed with the young shoots of other Rubus species[257]. The half-ripe fruits can be soaked in water to make a pleasant drink[183].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent  Dysentery  Stomachic

The dried bark of the root is astringent and has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[213]. A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[257]. The roots have been used as a disinfectant wash on infected sores[257]. The fresh fruit has been eaten in the treatment of diarrhoea[257]. A decoction of the entire vine has been used in the treatment of stomach complaints, diarrhoea and a general feeling of sickness[257]. A decoction of the vines and roots has been used in the treatment of vomiting and the spitting of blood[257].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Dye

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168].

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 11, 200]. This species is the parent of many hybrid cultivated forms[71], including the loganberry and the primus berry[183]. Some botanists include the cultivated loganberry (treated here as a separate species, R. loganobaccus) under this species[200]. This species is a blackberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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The PFAF Bookshop

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Propagation

Seed - requires stratification, is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Sow stored seed as early as possible in the year in a cold frame and stratify for a month at 3°c if sowing later than February. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Plant Search

Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search

Found In

Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

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Rubus arizonicusArizona DewberryShrub0.2 -  LMHSNM203
Rubus australis Climber0.0 8-11  LMHSNM201
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Rubus baileyanusBailey's dewberryShrub1.0 0-0  LMHSNDM201
Rubus barbatus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus bellobatusKittatinny BlackberryShrub2.0 5-9  LMHSNM201
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Rubus bifronsHimalayan berry, Hybrid European blackberry, Hybrid blackberryShrub1.5 0-0  LMHSNM101
Rubus bloxamii Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus buergeri Shrub3.0 5-9  LMHSNM201
Rubus caesiusDewberry, European dewberryShrub0.2 4-8  LMHSNM201
Rubus calycinusWild RaspberryPerennial1.0 -  LMHSNM101
Rubus canadensisAmerican Dewberry, Smooth blackberryShrub2.5 3-7  LMHSNM411
Rubus candicans Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus caucasicus Shrub0.0 -  LMHSNM201
Rubus caudatus  0.0 -  LMHSNM201
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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Expert comment

Author

Cham.&Schltdl.

Botanical References

1171200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

Cathy   Wed Jun 1 17:19:50 2005

My research and experience has shown these plants to be either male or female, with, of course, no fruit developing on the male flowers.

Tristan   Wed Oct 18 2006

My local native plant bible also (Plants of the Pacific Northwest Coast, Pojar & Mackinnon) describes separate male and female plants. No fruit developing in the male.

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Subject : Rubus ursinus  
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