Sawtooth Blackberry

Rubus argutus

Also known as: Upland Dewberry

Native to:
United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Rubus
Species:
Rubus argutus
USDA Symbol:
RUAR2

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
apr,may,jun
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, butterflies, bees
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire. Often increases in abundance after disturbance.

Soil Requirements

Soil Type:
rich, well-drained loamy soil
pH:
5.5 - 6.5 (slightly acidic)
Drainage:
excellent drainage required
Moisture:
consistently moist
Notes:
thrives in forest edges and clearings

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Warm then cold/moist stratification (double dormancy) — 90–120 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
30–90 days
Notes:
Seeds have double dormancy requiring warm stratification followed by cold stratification. Scarification improves germination rates.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI