Rubus trivialis: Southern Dewberry – Trailing Bramble with Edible Berries

Rubus trivialis – Southern Dewberry

Rubus trivialis, the Southern Dewberry, is a trailing, prickly, semi-evergreen bramble native to the southeastern U.S. It has compound leaves with 3–5 leaflets. In spring, it produces white, five-petaled flowers followed by edible, black, aggregate fruits (dewberries) in early summer – delicious but smaller than blackberries. It forms a sprawling ground cover or weak climber.

Southern Dewberry thrives in full sun to part shade and a variety of soils. It spreads by long, arching canes that root at the tips. It can form dense thickets. The fruit is enjoyed by wildlife and humans. It is a tough, productive native for naturalistic areas, wildlife plantings, and erosion control on sunny banks. Watch for thorns.

Plant Profile