Rubus ursinus is a deciduous low-growing (or trailing) shrub in the family Rosaceae (Klinkenberg 2017), closely related to cultivated raspberries and blackberries.
Description:
The stems grow horizontally along the ground and overtop vegetation, and can grow to 5 m long (Klinkenberg 2017). The compound leaves and floral stems arise from the main stem. The leaves consist of 3 leaflets with the terminal leaflet being the largest. The white or pink flowers are formed in clusters, bloom from April to August, and develop into deep red to shiny black berries (Johnson 2000). Along all stems are straight or slightly recurved prickles.
Ecology:
R. ursinus grows along the west coast from British Columbia to northern California, extending through southern California and into Mexico (Tirmenstein 1989). It grows in open to dense forests from sea level along the Pacific Coast to mid elevations, and is often found in disturbed (burned or logged) sites (Portland State University 2010).
R. ursinus berries are sweet and succulent at maturity and are eaten by many small birds and mammals, rarely remaining on the plant for long (Tirmenstein 1989).
R. ursinus berries are sweet and succulent at maturity and are eaten by many small birds and mammals, rarely remaining on the plant for long (Tirmenstein 1989).
Reproduction and Dispersal:
Following the pollination of the female reproductive structures in the flowers, fertilization occurs and seeds are produced. The seeds are embedded in the fruits (or berries). Birds and other animals that eat the berries help to disperse the seeds. R. ursinus can also reproduce asexually via vegetative propagation. When the horizontal stems are in contact with the soil, they can develop roots and grow into a new plant (Tirmenstein 1989).
References Cited:
Johnson K. 2000. Rubus ursinus - Trailing blackberry; dewberry; Pacific blackberry. Northwestern Oregon Wetland Plants Project. [accessed 2017 Jan. 16]. http://web.pdx.edu/~maserj/ESR410/rubisursinus.html.
Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2018 Jan 18]. http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rubus%20ursinus.
Portland State University. 2010. Rubus ursinus - Trailing blackberry. Ecoplexity, Teaching ecological complexity. [accessed 2018 Jan. 18]. http://www.ecoplexity.org/?q=node/896.
Tirmenstein DA. 1989. Rubus ursinus. In: Fire effects information system. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [accessed 2017 Jan. 20]. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ruburs/all.html.
Klinkenberg B, editor. 2017. E-Flora BC: Electronic Atlas of the plants of British Columbia [eflora.bc.ca]. Lab for Advanced Spatial Analysis, Department of Geography, University of British Columbia, Vancouver. [accessed 2018 Jan 18]. http://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rubus%20ursinus.
Portland State University. 2010. Rubus ursinus - Trailing blackberry. Ecoplexity, Teaching ecological complexity. [accessed 2018 Jan. 18]. http://www.ecoplexity.org/?q=node/896.
Tirmenstein DA. 1989. Rubus ursinus. In: Fire effects information system. U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Rocky Mountain Research Station, Fire Sciences Laboratory (Producer). [accessed 2017 Jan. 20]. https://www.fs.fed.us/database/feis/plants/shrub/ruburs/all.html.