Rubus L.
Genus composed of some 1,490 species, distributed mainly in temperate, subtropical and tropical areas of almost the entire world. In North Africa it is represented by 4 species, distributed along the Mediterranean area. This is a complex genus, even for expert botanists, due to the extraordinary polymorphism of its species.
Key to species
1 Branchlets with abundant glandular hairs 2
1 Branchlets without glandular hairs 3
2 Branching turions (new shoots) prostrate or climbing. Leaves green on both sides, with 3 deciduous leaflets Rubus caesius
2 Turions erect or upright-arched. Leaves green on upper side and whitish-tomentose on underside, with 5 persistent leaflets Rubus incanescens
3 Branchlets and leaves with simple and stellate hairs Rubus sanctus
3 Branchlets and leaves with simple hairs only Rubus ulmifolius
Updated by: A.V. Pérez Latorre.