Rubus rugosus Sm.

Erect shrub forming thickets, suckering; primary stems stout, obscurely angled, densely covered in brown, felty tomentum, the younger stems soft and trailing or twining; armature of numerous, short, flattened, straight prickles. Lvs simple; petiole brown-tomentose and prickly; lamina (3)–5–7-lobed and dentate, ± orbicular, 80–200 mm diam., dark green and rugose on upper surface with distinct veins and scattered hairs, brown-tomentose on lower surface, strongly cordate at base; stipules ovate, laciniate. Infl. a short, terminal, leafy panicle; axis and branches brown-tomentose and prickly. Fls 15–20 mm diam. Sepals triangular, acute, densely brown-tomentose, with jagged margins, ± erect at fruiting. Petals orbicular, crumpled, pale pink to rose or lilac. Fr. of black, waxy drupelets, broad-conic, c. 12 mm long.

[From: Webb et al. (1988) Flora of New Zealand. Volume 4.]

Flowering: Aug.–May; Fruiting: Oct.–Jun.