Recognized as a distinct species in the USDA 'Plants Database' https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RUBA2, this species is 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:

General Information

Rubus baileyanus is a deciduous shrub producing a cluster of prickly, biennial stems that are usually creeping but sometimes low-arching and then creeping[]. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth; forming 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 used in blackberry breeding programmes.

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Minnesota to Massachussets, south to Missouri and North Carolina

Habitat

Dry to moist open sandy woods, thickets and clearings[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
The plant tends to have a trailing habit, though sometimes the stems are ascending[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[]. Small and not very succulent[]. Of good quality[]. The black, or sometimes dark red, globose to cylindric fruits are 10 - 20cm long[]

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

The fruit is of good quality and so the plant is used in blackberry breeding programmes. Its best known contributions to cultivars are 'Lucretia' - which was the leading cultivated dewberry in the USA in the early 20th century - and 'Austin Mayes'. Both are thougt to be hybrids with Rubus argutus Link[]

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[].