Blackberry, Dewberry, Bramble

Rubus oklahomus L.H. Bailey

Rosaceae

Description

Blackberries are native perennials that are sometimes referred to as dewberry. Ten species of blackberry are listed for Texas. R. oklahomus is an upright, thicket-forming shrub that is prickly and can grow to several yards tall.

The plant can reproduce by seed and from roots as well as by daughter plants when the end of a stem reaches the soil. The stems are usually green, purplish or red and covered with straight or slightly curved prickles.

The leaves are located alternately along the stems; each has five leaflets arranged in a starlike shape, with each leaflet having small teeth around the edges and slightly hairy underneath.

The flowers are about ┬¥ to 1 inch in diameter, with five white petals and five green sepals. They bloom in late spring and at the beginning of the summer. The fruit is a berry that when ripe is black and about 1/3 to 1 inch in diameter.

Blackberries are used by wildlife but have little to no value for livestock.

Habitat

This plant prefers moist soils and grows mostly in wooded areas of East and Central Texas. It tends to grow in impenetrable thickets and can cause access problems.