''Rubus pernagaeus'' is a rare North American species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the rose family. It has been found only in the state of

Virginia Virginia, officially the Commonwealth of Virginia, is a state in the Mid-Atlantic and Southeastern regions of the United States, between the Atlantic Coast and the Appalachian Mountains. The geography and climate of the Commonwealth ar ...

in the eastern United States.Fernald, Merritt Lyndon 1940. Rhodora 42(503): 454–455, plates 633–634
/ref> The name ''pernagaeus'' means "from the land of hams," in reference to the fact that the species was initially discovered near Smithfield, Virginia, after which " Smithfield ham" is named. The species has upright canes up to 70 cm (28 inches) tall with

trifoliate The following is a list of terms which are used to describe leaf morphology in the description and taxonomy of plants. Leaves may be simple (a single leaf blade or lamina) or compound (with several leaflets). The edge of the leaf may be regular o ...

leaves. The genetics of ''Rubus'' is extremely complex, so that it is difficult to decide on which groups should be recognized as species. There are many rare species with limited ranges such as this. Further study is suggested to clarify the taxonomy.Flora of North America, ''Rubus'' Linnaeus, 1754. Bramble
/ref>

References

pernagaeus Plants described in 1940 Flora of Virginia {{Rubus-stub