back to Alphabetical index · Taxonomic index
This early-flowering bramble is commonest in south-east England, but is also found in south Wales, western Scotland and Ireland. It has distinctive large panicles of creamy-white flowers. The petals are curled inwards, giving the flower a cupped
appearance. The other key characters are the non-glandular hairy stems, the almost unarmed flowering branches and the very large convex leaflets.
Note the lack of prickles on the branches of the inflorescence.
The yellowish hint of the petals is probably unique amongst the brambles, though is difficult to see in bright sunshine (or with flash photography).
Flowers are about 2-2.5cm in diameter. The stamens are slightly longer than the yellowish-green styles.
Leaves can have 3, 4 or 5 rather matt-looking, distinctly convex leaflets, which can sometimes become very large (e.g. 20cm long or more).
As with most species in the Rhamnifolii the leaflets are grey-felted below, though this is less obvious on plants growing in the shade.
Stems are thinly to densely pubescent with numerous sessile glands but no stalked glands. They are bluntly angled and can be distinctly furrowed. They turn pale brown in the sun.