Rubus cubitans, the sprawling dewberry,[1] is a rare North American species of flowering plant in the rose family. It has been found only in the State of Vermont in the northeastern United States.[2]
| Rubus cubitans | |
|---|---|
Scientific classification 
| |
| Kingdom: | Plantae |
| Clade: | Tracheophytes |
| Clade: | Angiosperms |
| Clade: | Eudicots |
| Clade: | Rosids |
| Order: | Rosales |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Rubus |
| Species: | R. cubitans
|
| Binomial name | |
| Rubus cubitans Blanch. 1906
| |
Rubus cubitans is a trailing biennial with first-year stems running along the surface of the ground. Stems have very few prickles. Leaves are hairless, palmately compound with 5 leaflets. Second-year stems are erect, zigzag branches with trifoliate leaves and an array of flowers at the top. Fruit is black and spherical.[3]
The genetics of Rubus is extremely complex, so that it is difficult to decide on which groups should be recognized as species. There are many rare species with limited ranges such as this. Further study is suggested to clarify the taxonomy.[4]
References
edit- ^ NRCS. "Rubus cubitans". PLANTS Database. United States Department of Agriculture (USDA). Retrieved 25 October 2015.
- ^ Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map
- ^ Blanchard, William Henry 1906. Torreya 6(7): 148–149
- ^ Flora of North America, Rubus Linnaeus, 1754. Bramble
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