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American Dewberry

Rubus flagellaris

Last reviewed: August 2026

American Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris)
Photo: Robert H. Mohlenbrock. USDA SCS. 1991. Southern wetland flora: Field office guide to plant species. South National Technical Center, Fort Worth. Courtesy of USDA NRCS Wetland Science Institute. / Wikimedia Commons (Public domain)

Toxicity unknown

American Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

The USDA PLANTS Database (opens in new tab) does not flag American Dewberry as toxic to livestock.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

12"–96" H × 24"–120" W

Bloom

Apr, May

Native to

AL, AR, AZ, CT and 32 more states

Pollinators

bees, beetles

Before you buy

Your city may pay you to plant this

Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 445 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Cross TimbersSouth Central PlainsEastern Temperate ForestsOzark HighlandsCentral Irregular PlainsPiedmontNorthern Lakes and ForestsNorth Central Hardwood ForestsDriftless AreaSoutheastern Wisconsin Till PlainsCentral Corn Belt PlainsEastern Corn Belt PlainsSouthern Michigan/Northern Indiana Drift PlainsHuron/Erie Lake PlainsNortheastern HighlandsNortheastern Coastal ZoneNorthern Allegheny PlateauErie Drift PlainNorthern ForestsMiddle Atlantic Coastal PlainNorthern PiedmontSoutheastern PlainsBlue RidgeRidge and ValleyCentral AppalachiansWestern Allegheny PlateauInterior PlateauInterior River Valleys and HillsMississippi Alluvial PlainMississippi Valley Loess PlainsSouthern Coastal PlainAcadian Plains and HillsEastern Great Lakes LowlandsAtlantic Coastal Pine Barrens

American dewberry is a native trailing vine that produces small white flowers in spring followed by edible blackberry-like fruits in summer. This groundcover spreads by runners and can form dense patches, going dormant in winter.

In an HOA neighborhood

American Dewberry takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

  • Thorny canes create unkempt appearance
  • Aggressive spreading habit difficult to contain
  • Looks completely bare when dormant in winter

Wildlife value

The spring blooms attract native bees and beetles for pollination. Birds and small mammals enjoy the summer berries, while the thorny canes provide nesting habitat.

Common questions

How much sun does American Dewberry need?
American Dewberry grows best in full sun conditions.
When does American Dewberry bloom?
American Dewberry blooms in April and May.
Where is American Dewberry native?
American Dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) is native to AL, AR, AZ, CT and 32 more states, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
Is American Dewberry toxic to livestock?
The USDA PLANTS Database does not flag American Dewberry as toxic to livestock.
What pollinators does American Dewberry attract?
American Dewberry draws bees and beetles.
Is American Dewberry HOA-friendly?
American Dewberry takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

Ready to grow American Dewberry? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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