Smooth Blackberry Rubus canadensis
Other Common Name(s):
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-bus ka-na-DEN-sis
- Description
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Smooth blackberry is a subshrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) that is native to the eastern USA including the mountains of NC and eastern Canada. It can be found growing in forested and disturbed areas as an understory plant. The canes are erect to arching. It spreads by rhizomes, which are typically found about 3 to 4 inches below the surface and can form thickets. Rubus is Latin for blackberry or raspberry, and canadensis means “from Canada”
Smooth blackberry has almost completely smooth stems that are free of prickles and spines. Leaves are smooth and compound. The fruit is edible raw or cooked in pies or jams and is sweet, juicy and richly flavored compared to other species of blackberries.
Because it grows well in relatively barren conditions and sprouts after fire, smooth blackberry is used for reclaiming disturbed areas. The dense colonies of these shrubs provide excellent cover for nesting birds. The canes create nearly impenetrable thickets where birds, rabbits, and other animals hide. Game birds, songbirds, raccoons, chipmunks, and squirrels eat the fruits. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees and butterflies. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer.
Grow this plant in part shade in moist well-drained soils in naturalized areas or along ponds and streams. Can be used to creat a barrier and to provide shelter for wildlife.
Information on blackberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Blackberries for the Home Garden.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. That said, this plant has no significant problems, but it can become aggressive and difficult to eliminate. Because it is so successful and can spread easily, use caution when selecting a planting site. Herbicides may be required to completely eliminate the plant.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rubus
- Species:
- canadensis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked in pies and jams. Sweet, juicy and richly flavoured, it is generally preferred to most other species of blackberries. The fruit can be pressed into cakes and then dried for later use. The fruit can be up to an inch long.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Division
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- Eastern North America
- Distribution:
- CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Fruit is enjoyed by birds and small mammals.
- Play Value:
- Attracts Pollinators
- Wildlife Cover/Habitat
- Wildlife Food Source
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderately resistent to deer.
- Edibility:
- The fruit of all species of blackberries can be eaten fresh or frozen and used to make desserts and sweet liqueurs.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Medium
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
- Soil Texture:
- Clay
- Loam (Silt)
- Sand
- Shallow Rocky
- Soil pH:
- Acid (<6.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- NC Region:
- Mountains
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Black
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Width:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- The fruit is an aggregate of small drupes, each containing a single seed. Fruit can measure up to an inch long. Fruits display from July to August.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 1-3 inches
- Flower Description:
- Numerous 5-petaled white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 25. Individual flowers are 1-1.5 inches across. Each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent. Flowers bloom from June to July.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Feel:
- Smooth
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- No
- Leaf Length:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Alternate palmately compound leaves with leaflets up to 4 to 8 inches long. Generally smooth on both surfaces with serrated margins. Typically has 5 leaflets but sometimes 3. The terminal leaflet has a semi-cordate base and long petiolule (stem). The smaller basal leaflets are nearly sessile (stemless).
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Buds:
- Smooth/Hairless
- Stem Surface:
- Smooth (glabrous)
- Stem Description:
- Stems are free of prickles and spines.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Naturalized Area
- Riparian
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Barrier
- Hedge
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
