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Rubus laciniatus

Phonetic Spelling
ROO-bus la-sin-ee-AY-tus
Description

The genus Rubus includes blackberry, dewberry, and raspberry and most members of the genus share the traits of thorny or bristly stems and compound leaves. Also, flowers and fruit appear on last season’s canes (branches), seldom on new shoots, which means one must be cautious when pruning and not remove the canes that will yield next year's berries. There are differences, however, among species; for example, some are erect or arching shrubs up to 8 feet high and others trail on the ground like vines. Some, such as dewberries, produce fruits in the spring while blackberries and raspberries fruit during the summer. In general, Genus Rubus contains some of the most important plants for wildlife in the southeast.

Cut-leaf blackberry, is a perennial shrub in the Roseaceae (rose) family that typically grows to 6 feet high and 8 feet wide but can reach width of up to 30 feet. It is found on woodland edges and clearings and has prickly reddish stems with recurved thorns. White flowers bloom from July to August, followed by the ripened fruit from August to September. The fruits start red, but turn black when ripe. This species is a blackberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock. The stems start off upright and then curve to touch the ground. These stems fruit in their second year and then die off.

The plant does well in moist soil of various textures (sand, clay or loam) and a variety of pH conditions. Prefers well-drained soil and dappled shade to full sun. It has a rapid growth rate, can become weedy and can form thickets that reduce germination of native plant species.

Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.  It is listed as an invasive species in some states.

More information on Rubus.

See this plant in the following landscape:
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Oregon Thornless'
    Thornless with quality flavorful fruit
'Oregon Thornless'
Tags:
#showy flowers#shrub#semi-evergreen#high maintenance#thickets#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
 
Cultivars / Varieties:
  • 'Oregon Thornless'
    Thornless with quality flavorful fruit
'Oregon Thornless'
Tags:
#showy flowers#shrub#semi-evergreen#high maintenance#thickets#edible fruits#pollinator plant#edible garden#nectar plant late spring#nectar plant early summer#nectar plant midspring#perennial#weed#wildlife friendly
  • Attributes:
    Genus:
    Rubus
    Species:
    laciniatus
    Family:
    Rosaceae
    Life Cycle:
    Perennial
    Recommended Propagation Strategy:
    Seed
    Stem Cutting
    Country Or Region Of Origin:
    Eurasia
    Wildlife Value:
    The fruits of this plant are consumed by a number of birds and mammals. The thickets provide cover for animals. This plant provides nectar for pollinators.
    Edibility:
    Fruit is juicy and flavorful and can be eaten raw or cooked.
    Dimensions:
    Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 30 ft. 0 in.
  • Whole Plant Traits:
    Plant Type:
    Edible
    Perennial
    Shrub
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Habit/Form:
    Arching
    Growth Rate:
    Rapid
    Maintenance:
    High
    Medium
    Texture:
    Fine
    Appendage:
    Prickles
  • Cultural Conditions:
    Light:
    Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
    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
    Soil pH:
    Acid (<6.0)
    Alkaline (>8.0)
    Neutral (6.0-8.0)
    Soil Drainage:
    Good Drainage
    Available Space To Plant:
    3 feet-6 feet
    6-feet-12 feet
    12-24 feet
    NC Region:
    Coastal
    Mountains
    Piedmont
    USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
    4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b
  • Fruit:
    Fruit Color:
    Black
    Red/Burgundy
    Fruit Value To Gardener:
    Edible
    Display/Harvest Time:
    Summer
    Fruit Type:
    Aggregate
    Fruit Width:
    < 1 inch
    Fruit Description:
    Ripe fruit appears from August to September. The fruits are red when immature, black when ripe and about .75 inch in diameter. Stems fruit in their second year and then die off.
  • Flowers:
    Flower Color:
    Pink
    White
    Flower Value To Gardener:
    Showy
    Flower Bloom Time:
    Spring
    Summer
    Flower Petals:
    4-5 petals/rays
    Flower Description:
    White 5-petaled flowers appear from April to August.
  • Leaves:
    Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
    Deciduous
    Leaf Color:
    Green
    Leaf Feel:
    Prickly
    Leaf Type:
    Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
    Leaf Arrangement:
    Alternate
    Leaf Margin:
    Dentate
    Lobed
    Hairs Present:
    Yes
    Leaf Description:
    Leaves are bright green above and pale hairy below composed of 3 to 5 leaflets with toothed margins.
  • Stem:
    Stem Color:
    Green
    Red/Burgundy
    Stem Is Aromatic:
    No
    Stem Description:
    Reddish stems with recurved prickles; biennial stems produce new stems annually from the perennial rootstock; stems start upright then curve to touch the ground.
  • Landscape:
    Landscape Theme:
    Edible Garden
    Pollinator Garden
    Design Feature:
    Security
    Attracts:
    Pollinators
    Songbirds
    Problems:
    Spines/Thorns
    Weedy