Rubus flagellaris Willd.

Low-growing scrambling shrub; primocanes spreading (but fruiting stems often ± prostrate), purplish or red, usually ± terete, sometimes somewhat angled and ± flat between, with scattered subsessile glands, otherwise sparsely clothed in only simple hairs or almost glabrous; armature of many, short, erect prickles on angles or scattered. Young shoots moderately clothed in simple hairs and glandular. Leaflets (3)–5, almost glabrous to sparsely pilose on upper surface, sparsely to moderately pilose on veins but not tomentose on lower surface, irregularly serrate-dentate; terminal leaflet lamina narrow- to broad-ovate, acuminate, 40–100 × 40–90 mm, with petiolule c. ⅖-3/5 length of lamina. Stipules linear to broadly lanceolate. Infl. sparsely to moderately hairy, with sessile glands. Sepals rounded and apiculate to acuminate, sparsely to moderately pilose but tomentose only on margins and within, without pricklets. Petals rounded, crinkled, white. Anthers glabrous.

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

Flowering: Oct.–Dec.; Fruiting: Nov.–Jan.