Southern Dewberry
Rubus trivialis
You may look at these plants and say, ‘well, that looks like a blackberry to me.’ And you’re right, they’re very similar and closely related--blackberries are also in the genus Rubus. However, these dewberries are significantly pricklier and they’re evergreen! Dewberries are native to Texas and the rest of the American Southeast, and their juicy berries can be used in exactly the same way you would use blackberries-- in pies, crumbles, jams, jellies, or, my personal favourite, eating them raw straight off the vine.
Dewberries have several recorded ethnobotanical uses. The Cherokee made an infusion of the root for diarrhoea, rheumatism, and haemorrhoids; chewed the washed root for ‘coated tongue’; and used the plant with honey as a wash for sore throat. The Seminole used an infusion of the leaves for ‘stomach troubles.’
The berries are ripening just about now-- you may see small red berry clusters as in the photo above, but these are not ripe. Leave them on the vines until they are richly black and come off the vine with the gentlest tug. Berries are rich in Vitamin C and boast some of the highest antioxidant levels out of all the North American berries (including ellagic acid). The young leaves may be picked in the morning and dried to make dewberry leaf tea, which can be mixed with yaupon holly leaves for a lovely herbal blend.
Magically, dewberries may be used in the same way as blackberries are. They are associated with the Sun, the astrological sign Scorpio, the element Water, and the goddess Diana. It thorns lend it well to protection, but its leaves and berries bring healing and prosperity.
