1923] FULLER, THE ROSE FAMILY 149 



The Wisconsin blackberries are very variable. Several hundred 

 herbarium specimens have been carefully examined and growing plants 

 have been observed in the field. The blackberries of this state may 

 be divided into two groups; the tall blackberries and the dewberries. 

 Three species comprise the tall group; the highbush (R. allegheni- 

 ensis (Porter), the tall (R. argutus Link) and the thornless blackberry 

 {R. canadensis L.). The dewberries are represented by two species, 

 the running blackberry {R. villosus Ait.) and the hispid or swamp 

 blackberry {R. hispidus L.). 



The highbush blackberry is the common form encountered in the 

 open woods of the state. In typical woodland, it grows eight to ten 

 feet high. The thick stem is usually armed with numerous straightish 

 prickles. The large leaves are usually five-parted. The showy white 

 flowers are borne in large cylindrical racemes. The fair-sized, thimble- 

 shaped fruit, is delicious when ripe. The Synder, the highbush black- 

 berry recommended for Wisconsin, is largely of the native highbush 

 blood and the Ancient Britton, a standard variety, is said to have origi- 

 nated from a Wisconsin highbush seedling. Hybrids between the 

 highbush and other native species are common. 



The tall blackberry resembles the highbush fairly closely. The 

 stem is usually deeply grooved and armed with long, sharp prickles. 

 The flowers are borne in more or less flattish clusters. The fruiting 

 stems (pedicels) are armed with many sharp needle-like prickles. 

 Many of the highbush specimens showed evidences of some tall black- 

 berry blood. 



To anyone who has fought his way through a jungle of the high- 

 bush blackberries, it is like jumping from inferno into Paradise to 

 come across patches of the thornless blackberry. The tall round 

 stems are free from prickles. The leaflets of the five-parted leaves 

 are long tipped (acuminate). The flowers are not as showy as those 

 of the two preceding species and the fruit is fairly large, juicy and 

 somewhat acid. The thornless blackberry of the nurseries originated 

 from this species but does not seem to be raised extensively, which is 

 to be regretted since it is much more companionable than the highbush 

 varieties. 



Dewberry is the name applied to low-growing species of black- 

 berries. The running blackberry grows along sandy roadsides, rock 

 piles, fence rows and old deserted fields. Sometimes it is procumbent; 

 at other times it may grow partly upright. The round, thin stem 

 usually is armed with short-hooked prickles. The leaves are usually 

 three-parted. The large white flowers are borne on long flowering 



