Dewberry
Rubus caesius
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
Dewberry looks like a low-growing Bramble but is a different species — smaller, less spiny, and producing a distinctive fruit: a blackberry-like fruit with a grey-blue bloom that gives it a 'dewy' appearance. It's a characteristic plant of dune grassland and calcareous grassland, growing lower and more sprawling than Bramble. The fruits are excellent to eat — if you can find enough of them. A good nectar source for insects in May and June.
At a Glance
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Habitat | Fixed dune grassland · Dune scrub edge · Calcareous grassland |
| UK population | Common on calcareous and sandy grassland and dune systems in England |
| Sefton Coast | Common on fixed dune grassland and scrub edges throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Fixed dune grassland and scrub edges throughout Ainsdale and Formby. Lower-growing than Bramble.
Identification
Low-growing, sprawling plant, less than 50cm. Round-stemmed with weak spines (unlike Bramble's angular stems with strong spines). Small white flowers. Fruit: blackberry-like with prominent grey-blue waxy bloom — distinctive.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk dune grassland at Ainsdale in August–September. The bluish bloom on the small fruits is distinctive. Taste one — they're sweet and good.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
How do I tell Dewberry from Bramble?
Dewberry is smaller and more sprawling, with round stems (Bramble has angular, strongly spiny stems). The fruit is the best distinguishing feature — Dewberry has a prominent grey-blue waxy bloom covering the drupelets, while Bramble fruits are shiny black without a bloom. Dewberry fruits are also smaller with fewer, larger drupelets.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.