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Rubus cuneifolius is often confused with:
Rubus pascuus Fall form (Brighton, NY)-Mid Fall
Plants that fill a similar niche:
Rubus canadensis Rubus canadensis
Rubus flagellaris Rubus flagellaris
Rubus pensilvanicus Whit flowers (Guilford County, NC)-Mid Spring
Rubus cuneifolius has some common insect problems:
Raspberry Cane Borer
Rednecked Cane Borer
Rubus cuneifolius has some common disease problems:
Fusarium Wilt of Blackberry

Rubus cuneifolius

Previously known as:

  • Rubus chapmanii
  • Rubus cuneifolius var. angustior
  • Rubus cuneifolius var. spiniceps
Phonetic Spelling
ROO-bus kew-nee-FOH-lee-us
Description

Sand blackberry is a shrub in the rose (Rosaceae) family and is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub producing clusters of erect, rarely arching, densely-prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock This plant can be found in the coastal plains and sporadically in the Piedmont of NC. Sand blackberry is also present in the coastal areas of LA to NH and also in some inland eastern states and is often found in sandy thickets, woodland edges and fields.

The 2-5 foot canes do not bloom or fruit the first year but flower in spring and produce fruit the second year, then die down. The showy white flowers appear in spring and are followed by purple/black edible berries. The plant is loaded with prickles on the canes and stems. The leaves are compound and with a distinctly pleated look.

This plant prefers an acidic sandy loam in partial to full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Use in the edible garden or a naturalized or woodland area. It is a high-value plant for wildlife and provides food and cover year-long.

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.  Thripes may be a problem. 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. In South Africa and Australia, it has become invasive.

More information on Rubus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#shrub#piedmont#cover plant#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#edible fruits#pollinator plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#Audubon#coastal plant#food source winter#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
Tags:
#deciduous#heat tolerant#shrub#piedmont#cover plant#specialized bees#NC native#native garden#edible fruits#pollinator plant#food source summer#NC Native Pollinator Plant#food source nectar#food source pollen#piedmont mountains UPL#wet soils tolerant#bird friendly#nectar plant late spring#mammals#food source soft mast fruit#butterfly friendly#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#nectar plant midsummer#nectar plant late summer#Coastal FACU#Audubon#coastal plant#food source winter#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rubus
    Species:
    cuneifolius
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Division
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    New York and New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Louisian
    Distribution:
    AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY , PA, SC, TN, VA
    Wildlife Value:
    The nectar and pollen of the Sand blackberry flowers attract many kinds of insects, butterflies, and especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. It provides protective cover year-round for numerous small animals and birds. The fruits are relished by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotten fruit. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves.
    Play Value:
    Attracts Pollinators
    Edible fruit
    Wildlife Cover/Habitat
    Wildlife Food Source
    Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
    Heat tolerant
    Edibility:
    The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Dry but sweet and with a good flavour. The fruit can be up to an inch long.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Native Plant
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Habit/Form:
    Erect
    Growth Rate:
    Medium
    Maintenance:
    Low
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    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:
    Sand
    Shallow Rocky
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Moist
    Occasionally Dry
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Aggregate
    Drupe
    Fruit Length:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Dry but sweet and with a good flavor. Black fruit displays from June to July.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Shape:
    Cup
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Size:
    1-3 inches
    Flower Description:
    In bloom from April to June. The white flowers have 5 petals, 5 sepals and numerous stamens. The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Semi-evergreen
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Rough
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Shape:
    Obovate
    Leaf Margin:
    Serrate
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Length:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Width:
    1-3 inches
    Leaf Description:
    The compound leaves are densely white-hairy beneath. There are 3 leaflets that are broadest beyond the middle and have somewhat rounded tips. The leaves also tend to have a distinctive pleated look to them.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Brown/Copper
    Green
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Cross Section:
    Angular
    Stem Form:
    Straight
    Stem Description:
    Upright canes are green to brow with age and armed with many prickles
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Location:
    Naturalized Area
    Woodland
    Landscape Theme:
    Butterfly Garden
    Edible Garden
    Native Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Border
    Hedge
    Security
    Attracts:
    Butterflies
    Pollinators
    Small Mammals
    Songbirds
    Resistance To Challenges:
    Wet Soil
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns