Blackberry Rubus laciniatus
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Blackberry:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-bus la-sin-ee-AY-tus
- Description
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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.
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. It is listed as an invasive species in some states.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- 'Oregon Thornless'
Thornless with quality flavorful fruit
- 'Oregon Thornless'
- 'Oregon Thornless'
- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
-
- 'Oregon Thornless'
Thornless with quality flavorful fruit
- 'Oregon Thornless'
- 'Oregon Thornless'
- Tags:
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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.
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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
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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
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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.
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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.
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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.
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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.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Theme:
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Security
- Attracts:
- Pollinators
- Songbirds
- Problems:
- Spines/Thorns
- Weedy
