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<li>This account reviews information on all aspects of the biology of <em>Rubus vestitus</em> that are relevant to understanding its ecological characteristics and behaviour. The main topics are presented within the standard framework of the Biological Flora of the British Isles: distribution, habitat, communities, responses to biotic factors, responses to environment, structure and physiology, phenology, floral and seed characters, hervbivores and disease, history, and conservation.</li>
<li><em>Rubus vestitus</em> is a widespread member of the series <em>Vestiti</em>, one of 11 rather ill-defined series of largely apomictic microspecies in the section <em>Glandulosus</em> of <em>Rubus</em> subg. <em>Rubus</em>. Each of the series represents a main node in the spectrum of variation within this section. Its species (usually with those from sections <em>Rubus</em> and <em>Corylifolii</em>) are commonly included in the <em>Rubus fruticosus</em> L. <em>aggregate</em> (brambles or blackberries). More than 320 microspecies have been recognized in this aggregate in Britain.</li>
<li><em>Rubus vestitus</em> is typical of shady woodlands, wood margins, scrub and hedgebanks. Often abundant on calcareous or clay soils, it is rarer on acid soils of heaths and moors.</li>
<li><em>Rubus vestitus</em> is placed in its ecological context, relative to the other widespread and important bramble species in Britain. Where possible, information specific to <em>R. vestitus</em> is provided but much of the relevant literature does not distinguish it within the broader <em>R. fruticosus</em> agg. As this is the first account of a bramble in the Biological Flora of the British Isles, an inclusive approach incorporates data for the species aggregate where appropriate (e.g. in lists of pollinators and phytophagous insects).</li>
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