Chapters 4.46
4.46. Rubus flagellaris
Dustin Neal , University of Guelph, Canada
Suggested citation for this chapter.
Neal,D. (2022) Fleshy Fruits. In The Student Encyclopedia of Canadian Indigenous Foods. Editor, M.N. Raizada, University of Guelph, Canada. http://www.firstnationsfoods.org/
Botanical Information
Rubus flagellaris is a shrub in the Rosaceae family, more commonly known as brambles (Sandler, 2001). It is also known by its common name of Northern Dewberry, although “dewberry” has been used to describe many Rubus species (FNA, 2020). There are also many scientific names for this species, however, the majority are considered synonyms and are not verified (ITIS, 2022). In this report, all use of the term dewberry refers exclusively to Rubus flagellaris, unless otherwise specified.
Dewberries are perennial plants, having biannual shrubs which are non-reproductive and exhibit only foliage during their first year. They flower in their second year, producing fruit once reaching successful pollination. (Sandler, 2001). During its blooming period, which begins in June, it sprouts small, white, 5-petalled flowers (Figure 1) which later produce black-coloured berries in the summer through until the fall. This creates an ongoing harvesting season from July to October (USDA ,2022, Sandler 2001). The root systems live much longer than the topical shoots, sending up new bushes after the flowering bushes die (USDA ,1926). Care must be taken when handling the stems as they are coated with thin thorns and reddish hairs (Sellers, B. A. et al 2020). The canes present with a vine-like growth pattern, growing upright and then arching downwards to grow along the ground, rather than the upright climbing patterns shown by their blackberry (Rubus subg. Rubus) and red raspberry (Rubus Idaeus) cousins. Stems frequently reach lengths of 15 feet (4.5m) when fully grown (Sellers, B. A. et al 2020, Burnham, R. 2013).
Nutritional Information and Medical Use
Dewberries have traditionally been eaten raw, dried, or used in jams or pies (Kuhnlein, &Turner, 1991). The berries are a reliable source of carbohydrates and contain minimal fat and protein, having 14.0g of carbohydrates, 0.9 protein, and 0.4g of fat per 100g of fruit (Kuhnlein, H.V. & Turner1991, Table 1).
Historical Background/Geographic Origin
A French spy, Amédée-François Frézier who was also an engineer in the French Army Intelligence Corps, brought the Chilean strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) from Chile to France in 1714 (Grubinger, 2012). Fragaria chiloensis is native to the fog belt along the Pacific Ocean from Alaska to British Columbia to the central California coast and distribution in Chile (Hancock et. al, 2013). Migrating birds are presumed to have carried seeds from North America to South America, hence why this fruit has such a broad dispersal (Hancock et al, 2013).
The roots and leaves can also be infused to craft a remedy for diarrhea, hemorrhoids, sore throat, and joint pain or connective tissue complaints (Plants for a Future, DATE). Plants of the Rubus genus are also known to have strong anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties (Rocabado, et al., 2007).
Connections to Indigenous Peoples
Within Canada, dewberries have a traditional connection to the Iroquois, Ojibwe, and Malecite peoples. These berries have acted as a food source for these peoples (Kuhnlein, &Turner, . 1991).
Geography and Distribution
Rubus flagellaris is a native species which is widespread within North America. It can be found along the Atlantic Coast inward to mainland provinces and states (Figure 2). Its range in Canada includes Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, P.E.I, Quebec, and Ontario (USDA, 2022). Within these regions, dewberries grow in dry fields or lightly wooded areas. They are more likely to be lower-elevation plants, preferring altitudes below 2500 feet (Burnham,2013).
Growing Conditions
Dewberries are a highly adaptive species capable of growing in a wide variety of soil and sunlight conditions (USDA, 2022). The dewberry bush tolerates most soil densities, including fine sandy soil, medium loamy soil, and heavy clay soil. Regardless of the density and composition of the soil it is planted in, it requires it to be well-drained. Mildly acidic to neutral soils are most suitable to support the growth of these plants, with pH levels of 5.0 to 7.0 being preferred for optimal growth. It will grow readily in full sun while also thriving in semi-shaded conditions. While dewberries will live in this variety of light and terrain, they do not tolerate drought and will require watering when the top three centimeters of soil becomes dried. They can be planted in dense thickets, with minimum density levels being 2700 plants per acre and maximum reaching levels of 3450 plants per acre. Dewberry bushes are more wind-tolerant than their commercially grown cousins due to their crawling nature and cold-tolerant to temperatures as low as -31 degrees Celsius. While the bushes themselves will be damaged by fire, they prove to be fire resistant as the root systems are unaffected (USDA 2022, Sandler 2001).
References
1.Burnham, R. J. (2013). Rubus Flagellaris. Retrieved from: https://climbers.lsa.umich.edu/?p=1067
2.ITIS. Rubus Flagellaris Wild. Retrieved November 15, 2022 from Missing information https://doi.org/10.5066/F7KH0KBK.
3.Kohnlein, Harriet V. and Turner, Nancy J. (1991). Traditional Plant Foods of Canadian Indigenous Peoples. Food and Nutrition in History and Anthropology. 8.
4.Lawrence A. A, et al (1809). Rubus Flagellaris. Flora of North America. Enum Pl. 9.
5.Plants for a Future. (n.d). Rubus Flagellaris – Willd. Plants for a Future.
6.Rocabado, G. O et al. (2007). Rubus – A Review of its Phytochemical and Pharmacological Profile. NPC. 3. https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1934578X0800300319
7.Sandler, Hilary A (2001). Dewberries and Brambles. Retrieved from: https://scholarworks.umass.edu/cranberry_factsheets/7
8.Sellers, B. A et al. (2020). Blackberry and Dewberry: Biology and Control. doi.org/10.32473/edis-ag238-2020
9.USDA, NRCS. (2022). The PLANTS Database. National Plant Data Team, Greensboro, NC USA.
10.USDA. (1926). Dewberry Growing. Farmers Bulletin.1403. https://ia800904.us.archive.org/2/items/CAT87204248/farmbul1403rev1926.pdf