CHAPTER XI 



THE BOTANY OF THE BRAMBLES 



In order that the student and the experimenter 

 may gain a proper view and perspective of what has 

 been done in the amelioration of the bramble fruits, 

 and of what may be expected from further effort, a 

 descriptive inventory is here made of all the species 

 and marked natural varieties of the genus Rubus, which 

 are either native to North America (north of Mexico) 

 or are in cultivation here. A discussion of this sub- 

 ject from the view -point of the historian and plant- 

 breeder, together with a revision of the blackberries 

 and dewberries, is contained in Bailey's "Evolution 

 of our Native Fruits." 



RUBUS, LINN. BRAMBLE 



Calyx persistent, 5 -parted, without braetlets ; tube short and 

 open. Petals 5, deciduous. Stamens numerous. Achenes usu- 

 ally numerous, with 2 collateral suspended ovules in each cell, 

 one of which is abortive, becoming small drupes. Styles nearly 

 terminal, stigma simple or obtuse. Receptacle spongy or suc- 

 culent, convex, persistent or deciduous. Perennial herbs or 

 somewhat woody, erect or trailing, often prickly, leaves simple 

 or 3-5 foliolate, with stipules adnate to the petioles ; flowers 

 mostly white, reddish in a few species, solitary or in clusters; 

 fruit usually edible, black, red or yellowish. 



The genus is supposed: to derive its name from the Latin word 

 ruber, meaning red. Although represented by many species in 



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