Rubus pruinosus – Section Corylifolii

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A common and widespread lowland bramble, which in my experience is usually found in shady, often damp places. It probably has a tendency to avoid strongly acidic soils. It may be distinguished by the characteristic ovate shape of the terminal leaflet, which is often lobed, combined with the nearly round almost glabrous stem with sparse prickes.

Panicles are broad, with a diffuse inflorescence, occasionally with short-stalked glands. Flowers are large (3-3.5cm diameter) with white petals and green carpels, which are hairy at the tip.

The terminal leaflet is typically ovate and cordate, often with a lobe either side, which sometimes develops into a full leaflet (see third photo below). Basal leaflets are sessile and hence the leaflets overlap each other (imbricate) – a characteristic feature of many Corylifolii.

Leaflets are grey-felted below.

Stem is bluntly angled (almost round), glabrous (except when young), not usually with any stalked glands. It is not always pruinose (with white, waxy coating) – only apparent in the first photo below, of a bush in deep shade. Prickles are fairly sparse, fine, slightly angled and sometimes constrasting in colour with the stem (often dark purple like those of raspberry).