This time of year, there are two blackberry-like plants in bloom: blackberries (Rubus pensilvanicus) and southern dewberries (Rubus trivialis). Do you know how to tell the difference between them?
In most years, southern dewberries bloom slightly earlier than blackberries. This year, however, I am seeing several early blackberries. You can’t always tell the difference by the bloom time.
An easy way to tell them apart is to look at their stems. Southern dewberries have bristles and prickles, while blackberries have only prickles. Bristles are small, thin and sharp. Prickles are thick and more like thorns that you would find on a rose.
You might notice the flower arrangement now, and the berry arrangement later. Southern dewberries have single flowers and berries. Blackberries have clusters of flowers and berries.
If you are feeling adventurous, you can eat both types of berries. I’ve heard that dewberries have a more intense flavor than blackberries, but I haven’t tried them myself.
Look for dewberry and blackberry blossoms on the trails now!