Rubus recurvans facts for kids

Rubus recurvans is a type of plant that belongs to the bramble family. You might know other brambles like blackberry or raspberry plants! It's also part of the larger rose family, which includes many beautiful flowers and fruits. This plant is not very common.

Discovering Rubus recurvans

Where Does This Plant Live?

Rubus recurvans grows in parts of North America. You can find it in eastern and central Canada, including Québec, Ontario, and Nova Scotia. It also grows in the eastern and central United States.

In the U.S., it lives from Maine in the east, all the way west to Minnesota. You can also find it as far south as Missouri, near the Ohio River, and in Virginia.

What Does It Look Like?

This plant has roots that live for many years, called perennial roots. Its stems, or stalks, grow for two years. These stems and the underside of its leaves are covered with a thick layer of yellow-green hairs.

The leaves of Rubus recurvans are special. They are compound leaves, meaning each leaf is made up of smaller parts called leaflets. These plants usually have 3 or 5 leaflets on each leaf.

When it blooms, Rubus recurvans has white flowers. After the flowers, it grows fruits that are black and shaped like a cylinder.

Why Is This Plant Special?

The Rubus group of plants, which includes Rubus recurvans, has very complicated genetics. This makes it tricky for scientists to decide exactly which groups should be called different species.

There are many rare Rubus species, like Rubus recurvans, that only grow in small areas. Scientists are still studying these plants to understand them better and to clarify how they are all related.