How to identify Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)

How to identify Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)

Common blackberry, also known as Sow-teat blackberry, Mountain blackberry

Common blackberry is distinguished by its multi-stemmed, shrub-like growth, with stems that begin upright but tend to arch as they mature. These stems exhibit a distinctive red-purple hue and are covered in small prickles. Its natural presence in forested areas and woodlands hints at a preference for such environing growth conditions. Common blackberry can be readily identified by its thorny demeanor and arching stems, a common sight in the underbrush where it thrives.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Common blackberry

Arching stems with red-purple hue and small prickles.

White flowers in loose clusters with symmetric petals.

Thimble-shaped fruit transitioning from green to glossy black.

Trifoliate leaves with coarse, doubly serrate edges.

Stout stems with straight prickles, varying in thickness.

Detailed Traits of Common blackberry

Leaf Features

The leaves of common blackberry are typically trifoliate or palmately compound with long petioles. Each leaflet measures up to 4 inches (10 cm) long and 3 inches (7.5 cm) across, often twice as long as wide. The leaflets are ovate, featuring coarse, doubly serrate edges. The upper surface may have a few scattered white hairs, while the lower surface is light green and pubescent. In fall, the leaves display striking red, orange, or purple colors.

Leaf Shape

Elliptic ,

Ovate ,

Obovate

Leaf Type

Palmate

Leaf Base

Cordate ,

Circular

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Apex

Acuminate

Leaf Margin

Serrate

Learn About the Leaf Glossary

Flower Features

The flowers of common blackberry are characterized by their 5 white petals, arranged in loose terminal clusters at the end of stems. Each cane produces racemes containing approximately 12 flowers, which typically bloom from May to June. The blossoms lack a notable fragrance, making them distinctive. The petals are arranged symmetrically, providing an easy means of identification for novice plant enthusiasts.

Corolla Type

Rosaceous

Inflorescence Type

Raceme

Learn About the Flower Glossary

Stem Features

The stem of common blackberry is distinctively characterized by its stout, straight, or slightly curved prickles. New growth at the tips is green, while more mature sections transition to a brown or reddish-brown hue. These stems exhibit a robust texture and can be found branching in various patterns depending on the growth conditions. Their thickness varies but provides strong support for the plant's overall structure, often being about 0.2 to 0.4 inches (0.5 to 1 cm) thick.

Learn About the Stem Glossary

Fruit Features

The fruit of common blackberry is shaped like a thimble, closely resembling raspberries in appearance. Measuring approximately ¾ inch (19 mm) long and 1/3 inch (8 mm) in diameter, these fruits go through a sequence of color changes, transitioning from white or green to red, and ultimately maturing to a glossy black. The drupes are composed of multiple smaller units, containing numerous seeds embedded within. When fully ripe, the fruit offers a sweet taste, with the degree of sweetness potentially varying based on environmental moisture levels.

Fruit Type

Aggregate fruit

Learn About the Fruit Glossary

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Common blackberry and Their Similar Plants

Red raspberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

Red raspberry is a perennial forest shrub with elongated, thorny stems. The stems grow rapidly during their first year and bloom in their second year. The plant produces small, aggregate fruit that has a distinct aroma and a sweet-and-sour taste. Rubus idaeus cultivars are hybrids between this red raspberry and the American species R. Strigosus.

Black raspberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

The black raspberry is occasionally grown commercially, although not very popular due to its low yield. Black raspberry can be consumed dried, frozen, fresh, as a purée, juiced or in liqueur. Besides, it can also be used as a natural dye.

Wineberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

Wineberry (*Rubus phoenicolasius*) is a plant species native to northeast Asia. Wineberry has been naturalized in both Europe and North America as an ornamental plant. This plant is edible, and its berries are sometimes mistaken for raspberries or blackberries.

Northern dewberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

Northern dewberry (Rubus flagellaris) is a perennial shrub related to the rose. Northern dewberry has a fragrant smell and attracts many bees to serve as pollinators. The berries from northern dewberry are edible and commonly made into pies.

Southern dewberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

The southern dewberry is a delicious and edible fruit-bearing plant with dark blueberries that can appear black. The taste is sweet and can be used for jams or pies. The leaves, meanwhile, can be used to make tea. It is a special delicacy in the southern United States, where the Rubus trivialis originated.

Salmonberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

Salmonberry is a shrub growing to 1.07 to 4 m tall. It is known for its fruit, which bears resemblance to a raspberry. This plant earned its common name due to the fact that these berries were traditionally eaten by Native Americans with salmon or salmon roe. The taste of the berries themselves is somewhat bland but depends on the climate and site of growth.

Purple-flowering raspberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

The purple-flowering raspberry is a type of raspberry bush with large showy flowers and no thorns or prickers to get in your way. The flowers on this bush will last throughout the summer, giving way to some tart, though still edible, small-sized berries. Also known as the thimbleberry or Rubus odoratus, this delightful bush can spread into large thickets.

Cutleaf evergreen blackberry vs. Common blackberry: What's The Difference?

The fruit of cutleaf evergreen blackberry (Rubus laciniatus) ripens in late summer. The fruit starts its life as a crimson color but turns black when it’s mature. Cutleaf evergreen blackberry berries are edible and used to make jellies and jams.

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Key Facts About Common blackberry

Attributes of Common blackberry

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

1.5 m to 2.5 m

Flower Color

White

Fruit Color

Red

Black

Burgundy

Purple

Stem Color

Green

Brown

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Common blackberry

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Brambles

Species

Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis)

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Distribution Map of Common blackberry

Common blackberry is native to the eastern and central US and Canada, where it grows in prairies, dry pastureland, roadsides, and open woods. It has been introduced in several European and Baltic states, Japan, Australia, and New Zealand. Because of their rapid growth, they are considered invasive in some US states.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Learn More About the Common blackberry

A Comprehensive Guide to Common blackberry How to Grow and Care for Common blackberry