Species › Plants › Dewberry

Dewberry

Rubus trivialis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Dewberry (Rubus trivialis)

Dewberry is a trailing, semi-evergreen bramble of the southeastern United States, hugging the ground rather than forming upright canes like most blackberries. Its berries ripen very early in spring, making them one of the first wild fruits available each season and an important early food source for wildlife. The stems are armed with stiff, recurved prickles and the leaves persist through mild winters. Dewberry is common in open pinelands, roadsides, and sandy soils throughout the coastal plain.

Habitat
Sandy soils, open pine woodlands, roadsides, and disturbed ground across the southeastern Coastal Plain.
Diet
Early-ripening berries eaten by Northern Mockingbirds, Eastern Towhees, and Wild Turkeys; flowers attract native bees.
How common
Common

Best time to see a Dewberry

The best time to see a Dewberry is March–April, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 23,560 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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