Dewberry
Trailing brambles with edible berries, related to blackberries.
Dewberries belong to the same genus as blackberries, specifically the *Rubus* section *Rubus*. In North America, these are low-growing, trailing brambles that produce clustered fruits, typically dark purple or black rather than red. The European dewberry, *Rubus caesius*, has stems that arch rather than trail.
These plants lack upright canes; instead, their stems creep along the ground, sending down new roots as they go. The stems are covered in fine spines. White flowers appear around March and April, followed by small green berries that turn red and then a deep purple-blue when ripe. At that stage, the berries are soft and easily squashed when picked. They taste sweet and usually have fewer seeds than blackberries. In winter, the leaves often stay on the stems but may turn dark red.
The European dewberry, *Rubus caesius*, grows more upright like other brambles. Its deep, almost black purple fruits are coated with a waxy, dewy layer that gives them a sky-blue appearance (*caesius* is Latin for pale blue). These berries are small and remain noticeably tart even when fully ripe.
Dewberries are found across most of the Northern Hemisphere and are often considered a beneficial weed. *R. caesius* is mostly limited to coastal areas, especially sand dunes. The leaves are occasionally eaten by the larvae of some moths, such as the peach blossom moth.
The leaves can be brewed into an herbal tea, and the berries are edible and sweet. They can be eaten raw or used in cobblers, jams, and pies. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cameron, North Carolina, was known as the “dewberry capital of the world” because of large-scale cultivation there, with berries shipped nationally and internationally by rail.
- Genus
- Rubus
- Section (North America)
- Flagellares
- Section (Europe)
- Caesii
- Primary European species
- Rubus caesius
- Primary North American species
- Rubus flagellaris
- Fruit color
- Purple to black (North America); deep purple with waxy blue coating (European)
- Known for
- Trailing growth habit and edible berries
Lore & Background
Dewberries are a group of Rubus species that trail along the ground rather than growing upright. Their stems put forth new roots along the length of the stem and are covered with fine spines. Around March and April, white flowers appear, developing into small green berries that turn red and then deep purple-blue as they ripen. The ripe berries are tender, difficult to pick without squashing, sweet, and often less seedy than blackberries. In winter, leaves often remain on the stems but may turn dark red.
The European dewberry, Rubus caesius, grows more upright like other brambles. Its fruits are a deep, almost black, purple coated with a thin layer of waxy droplets, giving them a sky-blue appearance. These fruits are small and retain a markedly tart taste even when fully ripe.
Dewberries are common throughout most of the Northern Hemisphere. Rubus caesius is frequently restricted to coastal communities, especially sand-dune systems. The leaves are sometimes eaten by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including peach blossom moths.
Reader's Guide
Dewberries hold significance as a widespread, beneficial weed in the Northern Hemisphere, valued for their edible berries. The leaves can be used to make an herbal tea, and the berries can be eaten raw or used in cobbler, jam, or pie. In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the town of Cameron, North Carolina, was known as the 'dewberry capital of the world' for large-scale cultivation, with berries shipped nationally and internationally via railroads. The legacy of dewberries includes their role in hybrid berries such as the boysenberry, a cross between a dewberry and a loganberry. Their trailing growth habit distinguishes them from upright blackberries and raspberries, and their tart flavor in the European species offers a unique culinary profile. Despite their weedy nature, they have been cultivated and celebrated, reflecting their adaptability and utility.
Did You Know?
- Dewberries are closely related to blackberries and are in the genus Rubus.
- The European dewberry, Rubus caesius, has fruits coated with waxy droplets that appear sky blue.
- In the late 19th and early 20th centuries, Cameron, North Carolina, was known as the 'dewberry capital of the world'.
- The boysenberry is a cross between a dewberry and a loganberry.
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