Home > Herbs > Rubus Caesius

dewberry

Rubus caesius · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (2 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Dewberry, scientifically known as Rubus caesius, is a trailing, deciduous shrub native to Europe and North America. Renowned for its edible, bluish-black berries, it offers significant nutritional value. Historically utilized in folk medicine, this plant possesses antioxidant properties and has been studied for its potential anti-inflammatory and therapeutic benefits.

Family
Rosaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
European Dewberry · Dewberry
Scientific synonyms
Rubus Acheruntinus · Rubus Caesius Var. Spiculatus · 135 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Rubus caesius

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • Zarza pajarera

German:

  • Kratzbeere
  • Bockbeere
  • Bereifte Brombeere
  • Ackerbeere
  • Hechtblaue Brombeere
  • Acker-Brombeere
  • Blaue Brombeere

French:

  • Ronce bleue
  • ronce bleue
  • ronce bleuâtre
  • Ronce bleuatre

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Within the subclass Magnoliidae, it follows the order Rosales and is a member of the Rosaceae family. It is specifically identified by the genus Rubus.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Rosales
Family Rosaceae
Genus Rubus

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a widespread presence across various regions of Northern Europe. It can be found growing naturally throughout the landscapes of Denmark. Its distribution also extends to the northern territories of Finland and Norway. Additionally, the species is well-established within the countries of Great Britain and Ireland. These diverse locations highlight its ability to thrive in different Northern European environments.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Finland
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Norway
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rubus caesius is characterized by a broad altitudinal distribution and diverse environmental settings, ranging from sea level up to significant montane elevations. It is commonly found in coastal habitats, demonstrating an ability to thrive in saline-influenced or maritime environments. The species exhibits a wide vertical range, with its lowest recorded elevations starting at 0 m AMSL and its maximum reaching as high as 2400 m AMSL. Across its various geographical distributions, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 1250 m AMSL, reflecting its adaptability to both lowland coastal plains and mid-to-high altitude terrains.

Elevational range max:
2400 m AMSL
Elevational range mean:
1250 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
0 m AMSL
Habitat :
Coastal

Life history

The life history of Rubus caesius is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist across multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth and survival strategies, it exhibits life forms categorized as both phanerophyte and chamaephyte, reflecting its ability to maintain buds at varying heights above the ground level. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage annually as part of its seasonal cycle.

Deciduousness :
deciduous
Life form :
phanerophyte
Life form :
chamaephyte
Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rubus caesius is characterized by its growth form as a woody shrub. It functions as a self-supporting plant rather than a liana or vine, maintaining an independent biological status without being a parasite or an epiphyte, as it is strictly terrestrial in its habitat. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant height variability, with individual specimens ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 1.5 m, resulting in an average plant height of approximately 0.9875 m.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
shrub
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
1.5 m
Plant height mean:
0.9875 m
Plant height min:
0.2 m
Woodiness :
woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rubus caesius is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, indicating a reliance on standard carbon fixation processes typical of many temperate woody shrubs. As a non-carnivorous species, it derives all necessary nutrients through soil absorption rather than insectivory. The plant's vegetative morphology is defined by its leaf architecture, which displays a mean leaf length of 5.5 cm (ranging from a minimum of 4 cm to a maximum of 7 cm) and a mean leaf width of 5 cm (ranging from 3 cm to 7 cm), resulting in a mean leaf size of approximately 96.55333 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 193 cm²/g, a physiological metric that reflects its leaf mass per area and provides insight into its resource acquisition strategies and leaf thickness.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf length max:
7 cm
Leaf length mean:
5.5 cm
Leaf length min:
4 cm
Leaf size mean:
96.55333 cm²
Leaf width max:
7 cm
Leaf width mean:
5 cm
Leaf width min:
3 cm
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
193 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rubus caesius is primarily a sexual process, as asexual reproduction is noted to be absent. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in July. The plant relies on biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect-based pollination syndrome with bees acting as key pollinators. To ensure genetic diversity, self-fertilization is absent. Following pollination, the plant develops fleshy, indehiscent fruit classified as a drupe. These fruits are consistent in size, with a mean length, width, and diameter of approximately 1 cm. The seeds contained within the fruit are quite small, with a mean mass of 0.003694625 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.0027 g to a maximum of 0.0048 g) and a uniform seed volume of 6.1 mm³. Dispersal is achieved through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where animals consume the fleshy fruit and disperse the seeds.

Dehiscence :
indehiscent
Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Dispersal syndrome :
endozoochorous
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
Jul
Fruit dryness :
fleshy
Fruit length max:
1 cm
Fruit type :
drupe
Fruit width max:
1 cm
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
bee
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Reproduction asexual :
absent
Seed mass max:
0.0048 g
Seed mass mean:
0.003694625 g
Seed mass min:
0.0027 g
Seed volume max:
6.1 mm³
Self fertilization :
absent

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rubus caesius has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Lectin.

Chemicals reported in Rubus caesius
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Lectin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Lectin

  1. Experimental oncology

Conditions

Rubus caesius has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include diarrhea.

Conditions investigated for Rubus caesius
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Diarrhea 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Diarrhea

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Rubus caesius has 1 reported preparations identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous extract.

Preparations reported for Rubus caesius
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Aqueous extract 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Aqueous extract

  1. Journal of ethnopharmacology