Recognized as a distinct species in the USDA 'Plants Database' https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RUAB, this species is closely related to, and treated as a synonym of, Rubus flagellaris Willd., in the Flora of N. America[].
The genus Rubus, (especially the blackberries, which are often loosely referred to as Rubus fruticosus agg.) presents some of the most difficult taxonomic problems. This is partly due to the frequency of polyploidy; also to the frequent occurrence of hybridization; and also due to apomixis, where minor differences between plants are preserved because seedlings are genetically identical to their parent. As a result, differences of opinion on the number of species to be recognized from a given region can vary tremendously (for example, a treatment by M. L. Fernald[] in 1950 recognized 205 species for the northern half of the eastern United States plus parts of southeastern Canada, whilst H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist in 1991 recognized only 25)[]. Where possible, a relatively conservative approach is taken here[].

Common Name: Mayes Dewberry

General Information

Rubus aboriginum is a deciduous shrub, producing each year a cluster of usually creeping, though sometimes low-arching and then creeping, prickly, biennial stems up to 300cm long, growing from a woody rootstock. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth; producing erect, flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting[]
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food, It is sometimes cultivated for its fruit in Texas[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

Central and southern N. America - Iowa to New Jersey, south to Texas and Georgia

Habitat

Woodlands, savannahs, pine barrens, prairies, meadows, rock outcrops, disturbed areas, dry to seasonally wet soil; at elevations from sea level to 1,000 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the temperate zone, it tolerates temperatures down to between -5 and -10°c[].
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Used in jams, jellies and sauces. Delicious[]. Good quality[]. A dewberry, it is very juicy[]. The black, oblong fruit is about 30mm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. 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.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].