Common Blackberry

(Rubus allegheniensis)

The blackberry is a highly varied bramble. The fact that blackberry plants hybridize so easily makes species identification all but impossible except via genetic testing. That does not mean you cannot positively identify blackberries. The easiest manner to differentiate between the blackberry members of the Rubus genus, and others is by picking the fruit. If you pick the fruit and the torus stays with the fruit, then you in fact have a blackberry. If however, the torus stays with the plant, then you have a specoes of black raspberry.

Other Names:
Allegheny blackberry

Range:


Family:
Rosaceae - Rose Family

Growth Type:
R. allegheniensis is a relatively short lived perennial deciduous woody shrub that produces biennial canes.

Height:
The canes typically reach 5 feet in length, although longer canes can sometimes be found.

Leaves:
The leaves are alternate, large, palmately compound, with 5 to 7 leaflets. Each leaflet is pointedly ovoid, with toothes margins.

Stem/Trunk:
While the plant can live for perhaps 10 years, each 5-8 foot long cane is biennial. As anyone who has mistakenly wandered into a blackberry thicket can attest, the canes are loaded with effectively deterrent prickles. These prickles are often erroneously called thorns or spines. While these terms are often used interchangeably, botanically they are quite different. Spines are formed from leaves, while thorns are formed from altered shoots, and prickles, like those of R. allegheniensis, are formed from specially adapted epidermis tissue. Some cultivars have few if any prickles.

Root:
Woody rootstock

Flower Season:
In late spring, on second year canes.

Flower Appearance:
Like all members of the Rosaceae family, blackberry flowers are white with five petals, and are approximately ¾ inch across. The flowers appear in late spring.

Seed/Fruit:
Like all members of the Rubus genus, blackberries are not true berries. They are in fact aggregate fruits. With that clarification being made, blackberries typically appear in mid-summer, and ripen to a deep purple/black by late summer.

Miscellaneous characteristics:
N/A

Habitat:
This is an understory plant that grows in forests, abandoned homesteads, and along forest margins.

Parts Used:
Food: Fruit
Medicine: Rootbark, leaves

Culinary Uses:
The aggregate fruit makes a delicious trail nibble. If you have more willpower than I, you can take them home to be turned into delicious cobblers, crisps, pies, jams, and preserves.

The following text is meant for informational purposes only. It is not meant to diagnose or treat any illness or injury. Always consult with a physician or other qualified medical care provider concerning the diagnosis and treatment of any illness or injury.

Medicinal Uses:
This native plant has a long history of use among native peoples. The rootbark of this plant has been used to treat hemmorhoids, piles, diarrhea. Along with the gastrointestinal uses, it has also been used to treat respiratory disorders like coughs, colds. It is also said to alleviate urinary tract problems, although I have not found this to be true. Like most members of the Rosaceae family, the leaves are astringent and drying. One could therefor infer that infusions made from the leaves would be useful at alleviating wet conditions like seasonal allergies.

Medicinal Actions:
Antidiarrheal, Astringent, Diuretic, Haemostatic, Parasiticide, Styptic, Tonic: Intestinal