Southern dewberry is a native, evergreen perennial shrub in the Roseaceae family. It grows in the wet sites of bogs or swamps. It will grow in sandy, loamy, or clay soils and prefers well-drained moist soil. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. The plant produces showy white flowers followed by small berries on arching canes that can become a small thicket. The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is typically used in jams and preserves. The fruit is large and well-flavored, about 1 inch long and is very juicy and sweet. This trailing shrub has bristles and usually only a single flower per flowering branch. The plant is common on the coast and Piedmont of North Carolina, but less common in the mountains. Specifically, it can be found along roadsides, fields, thickets, and other disturbed areas. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It provides excellent cover year round. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to the blooms. Its fruits are relished by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons, and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotted fruit. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication . Information on blackberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Blackberries for the Home Garden . Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Frequent Standing Water | Occasionally Dry | Occasionally Wet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
This plant has red and winter foliage.
Fall color
Red/Burgundy
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower detail
The white flowers are are usually solitary at the ends of short flowering branches. Flowers bloom March-June.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
1-3 inches long
Fruit detail
Fruits are available April-May and are black in color
Stem detail
The young stems of Southern Dewberry usually have sharp bristles and prickles. The trailing stems have glandular bristles.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern United States (mid-Atlantic and south), west to Texas
Wildlife value
Excellent cover year round for birds and small mammals. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to the blooms for nectar. Fruits are eaten by songbirds and other animals. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit
Harvest time
Spring
Fruit type
Drupe
Edibility
Can be eaten raw or cooked and is typically used in jams and preserves. The fruit is large, juicy, and sweet.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The flowers are a popular nectar source for many insects.