Rubus plicatifolius

Rubus plicatifolius is a North American species of dewberry in the rose family. It is found in eastern and central Canada (Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland) and in the eastern and central United States (from Maine south to Virginia, west as far as Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri).

Rubus plicatifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Rubus
Species:	R. plicatifolius
Binomial name
Rubus plicatifolius Blanch. 1906
Synonyms
Synonymy Rubus armatus (Fernald) L.H.Bailey Rubus botruosus L.H.Bailey Rubus bretonis L.H.Bailey Rubus coloniatus L.H.Bailey Rubus exutus L.H.Bailey Rubus obsessus var. unilaris L.H.Bailey Rubus pauper L.H.Bailey Rubus polulus L.H.Bailey Rubus prior L.H.Bailey Rubus problematicus L.H.Bailey Rubus procumbens Rydb. Rubus pronus L.H.Bailey Rubus recurvicaulis var. armatus Fernald Rubus rhodinsulanus L.H.Bailey Rubus rosendahlii L.H.Bailey Rubus semierectus Blanch. Rubus usus L.H.Bailey Rubus varus L.H.Bailey Rubus victorinii L.H.Bailey

Rubus plicatifolius is a prostrate shrub trailing along the surface of the ground, with straight (not curved) prickles. Leaves are compound with 5 egg-shaped leaflets, plaited and yellowish. Flowers are in elongated groups of several flowers. Fruits are cylindrical rather than spherical.

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.

External links

• Photo of herbarium specimen at Missouri Botanical Garden, collected in Missouri in 1951