Blackberry Rubus occidentalis
Other Common Name(s):
Other plants called Blackberry:
- Phonetic Spelling
- ROO-bus ock-sih-den-TAH-liss
- Description
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Black raspberry is a native, deciduous perennial shrub in the Roseaceae family. It is common in the mountains, but scarce in the Piedmont and coastal plain of North Carolina. It can be found specifically along roadsides, in woodlands, and disturbed areas. If planted in sites that are sunny and dry, the fruit may not develop properly without adequate rain. The canes also fail to set fruit if there is too much shade. The canes start out growing erect to about 6 feet long in the first year, but eventually arch sideways and down and can reach the ground. Rubus occidentalis prefers partial sun and moist, highly organic soil. This plant is heat tolerant.
Black raspberry is moderately resistant to damage from deer. It provides excellent cover year round. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to the blooms and the fruits are eaten by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons, and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotted fruit. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves.
Diseases, Insects, and Other Plant Problems: Other than honey fungus, to which most Rubus species are susceptible, there are few problems.
- See this plant in the following landscape:
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- Cultivars / Varieties:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Rubus
- Species:
- occidentalis
- Family:
- Rosaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Flavorful fruit can be eaten raw or cooked as a topping, filling, or jam. It is of variable quality, with the finest forms having a rich acid flavor. Young shoots can be eaten raw or cooked like rhubarb. They are harvested as they emerge through the soil in the spring while they are still tender, and then peeled. A tea is made from the leaves or from the bark of the root.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Wildlife Value:
- This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Excellent cover for small mammals and birds. Blooms attract pollinators. Fruits are eaten by songbirds, mammals, and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotted fruit.
- Particularly Resistant To (Insects/Diseases/Other Problems):
- Moderately resistent to deer.
- Edibility:
- The fleshy fruits are sweet and slightly tart in flavor; they detach cleanly and easily from their receptacles. Excellent flavor.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Edible
- Native Plant
- Perennial
- Shrub
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Arching
- Erect
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
- Appendage:
- Prickles
- Thorns
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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:
- High Organic Matter
- Soil Drainage:
- Moist
- Occasionally Dry
- 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
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Drupe
- Fruit Length:
- < 1 inch
- Fruit Description:
- This compound drupe is initially white, later becomes red, and finally turns black-purple when it is mature. Each drupe consists of multiple drupelets, each drupelet containing a single seed. Fruits are available June-July.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- White
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Cyme
- Raceme
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Spring
- Summer
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- < 1 inch
- Flower Description:
- Not very showy. White, five-petaled flowers. Second-year canes develop short branches that terminate in flowers. Flowers bloom from April to June.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Type:
- Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Cordate
- Ovate
- Leaf Margin:
- Doubly Serrate
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Width:
- 1-3 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Trifoliate, alternate leaves with toothed margins.
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Stem:
- Stem Color:
- Brown/Copper
- Green
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
- Stem Surface:
- Covered with a powdery bloom (glaucous)
- Stem Description:
- Canes are initially green, hairless, and glaucous, but later turn brown and woody during the winter. Scattered along the length of each cane are prickles that are short and curved. The powdery bloom on the stem can give it a ghostly white appearance.
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Woodland
- Landscape Theme:
- Native Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Attracts:
- Bees
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Small Mammals
- Songbirds
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Heat
