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: Dwarf Red Blackberry

General Information

Rubus pubescens is a low-growing, perennial plant with unarmed, creeping, more or less woody stems and erect flowering branches 10 - 40cm tall[, ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine.
The species is widespread and while it is possibly declining in parts of its range, it is not thought that any global population decline is likely to meet (or be close to meeting) the threshold for Vulnerable. The plant is classified as 'Least Concern' in the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species(2013)[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Widespread in N. America - from Alaska to Labrador and Newfoundland, south to Oregon, Colorado, Illinois and New Jersey

Habitat

Damp slopes, rocky shores, low thickets etc[]. Swamps, bogs, fens, stream banks, moist woods, bluffs, gravel sites, sandy soil; at elevations up to 2,200 metres[].

Properties

Conservation Status	Least Concern
Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Species in this genus are generally easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
Rubus pubescens is recognized by its creeping, unarmed stems, oblanceolate to lance-ovate stipules, relatively small flowers, and white to pink petals. It hybridizes with Rubus arcticus subsp. Acaulis in areas of sympatry, and the hybrids are referable to Rubus × paracaulis L.H.Bailey. The hybrids are similar to Rubus arcticus subsp. Acaulis in having more obovate, rounded leaflets, and larger, pink to magenta petals; they are larger, creeping, and have hairy and stipitate-glandular pedicels and sepals like Rubus pubescens[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, , ]. Delicate and delicious[]. The fruit can be mashed, made into small cakes then dried and stored for later use[]. The red, globose to conical fruit is 5 - 14mm in diameter[].

Medicinal

The leaves are astringent and stomachic[]. A decoction has been to treat the vomiting of blood and blood-spitting[].

An infusion of the plant, combined with wild strawberry (Fragaria spp), has been used to treat irregular menstruation[].

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[].