Question: I discovered this plant only a few feet from the edge of the beaver pond at Quincy Bog Natural Area …
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Question
I discovered this plant only a few feet from the edge of the beaver pond at Quincy Bog Natural Area in Rumney. I believe it is in the genus Rubus, but was wondering if there was anything diagnostic about the bluish-green coloring of the leaves...or their shininess..that might allow me to hone in on the species. These pictures were taken shortly after a light rain, but when I viewed them while dry the day before they were shiny.
Answer
Dear gdewolf, good afternoon. Your plant is likely Rubus hispidus (bristly blackberry). This is a native species that typically shows three, leathery, glossy leaflets on the primocane leaves (which have a distinctive shape as well--obovate). The armature of this species is primarily small-based prickles and stiff bristles.
