Rubus plicatifolius is a North American species of dewberry in the rose family. It is found in eastern and central Canada (Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Newfoundland) and in the eastern and central United States (from Maine south to Virginia, west as far as Minnesota, Iowa, and Missouri).[2][3]

Rubus plicatifolius
Scientific classification Edit this classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rubus
Species:
R. plicatifolius
Binomial name
Rubus plicatifolius
Blanch. 1906
Synonyms[1]
Synonymy
  • Rubus armatus (Fernald) L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus botruosus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus bretonis L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus coloniatus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus exutus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus obsessus var. unilaris L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus pauper L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus polulus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus prior L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus problematicus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus procumbens Rydb.
  • Rubus pronus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus recurvicaulis var. armatus Fernald
  • Rubus rhodinsulanus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus rosendahlii L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus semierectus Blanch.
  • Rubus usus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus varus L.H.Bailey
  • Rubus victorinii L.H.Bailey

Rubus plicatifolius is a prostrate shrub trailing along the surface of the ground, with straight (not curved) prickles. Leaves are compound with 5 egg-shaped leaflets, plaited and yellowish. Flowers are in elongated groups of several flowers. Fruits are cylindrical rather than spherical.[3]

The genetics of Rubus is extremely complex, so that it is difficult to decide on which groups should be recognized as species. There are many rare species with limited ranges such as this. Further study is suggested to clarify the taxonomy.[4]

References

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