340 THE EVOLUTION OF OUR NATIVE FRUITS 



Rubus hispidus (Fig. 73) is a very slender plant, 

 rarely rising at all above the surface of the ground, 

 and growing both in swamps and upon barren sand. 

 The leaflets are obovate, stiff, and shining above. The 

 flowers are few and very small, and the fruit is small 

 and usually red. The species appears to possess no 

 value as a fruit, and yet it is often confounded with 

 Rubus villosus (R. Canadensls of the books), which is 

 the parent of some of our cultivated varieties. 



The Rubus villosus, to which the term dewberry is 

 usually restricted in the North, is much like the south- 

 ern dewberry, Rubus trivialis, in appearance. The 

 chief distinguishing points are these : 



Rubus villosus, or northern dewberry (Fig. 74). 

 Main stems or canes rather sparsely and slightly 

 prickly ; leaves thin and deciduous, either destitute of 

 prickles or bearing only weak ones, and more or less 

 hairy ; leaflets ovate ; sepals often prolonged and leaf- 

 like, and sometimes lobed. (See, also, pp. 371-374.) 



Rubus trivialis, or southern dewberry. Main canes 

 mostly thickly beset with stout prickles ; leaves firm 

 and nearly or quite evergreen, smooth or very nearly 

 so, the petioles or midribs usually bearing stout 

 prickles ; leaflets oval -oblong or almost lanceolate and 

 small ; sepals not prolonged nor cut. This species is 

 common from Delaware to Florida and Texas, on the 

 sandy lands. The canes often grow ten or fifteen feet 

 in length. It is variable, and attractive varieties are 

 often found. Some forms have even been mentioned 

 as possessing value as ornamental plants. (See p. 376.) 

 The northern dewberry is a very variable species. 

 In any locality where it grows in abundance a number 

 of unlike forms may usually be found. Some 'of the 



