How to identify Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)

How to identify Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)

Purple-flowering raspberry, also known as Thimbleberry, Sweet-scented bramble, Flowering raspberry

Purple-flowering raspberry exhibits distinctive large palmate leaves with deep lobes and a medium green hue that transitions to golden in the autumn. The plant forms a deciduous shrub structure, reaching up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in height and 12 feet (3.6 meters) in width. The stems are covered in fine hairs and are notably sparse in prickles. This species is recognized by its conspicuous, fragrant flowers resembling roses, with long-lasting blooms that showcase vibrant colors. The fruit, while edible, tends to be dry and crumbly.

Lifespan: Perennial

Plant Type: Shrub

Leaf Type: Deciduous

Quickly Identify Purple-flowering raspberry

Large palmate leaves with deep lobes and medium green hue transitioning to golden in autumn.

Rose-like fragrant flowers resembling roses, with vibrant, long-lasting blooms.

Red, cup-shaped berries with fleshy texture, prominent against foliage, and containing multiple seeds.

Hairy stems devoid of prickles, peeling bark with cedar-like scent, supporting bushy appearance.

Palmate, 5-lobed leaves with serrated edges, medium green changing to pale yellow, and distinctive veining pattern.

Detailed Traits of Purple-flowering raspberry

Leaf Features

The leaves of purple-flowering raspberry are palmate and 5-lobed, resembling those of maple trees. They are medium green in color, turning a pale yellow in the fall. Each leaf is simple and finely serrated along the edges. Typical leaf dimensions range between 4-8 inches (10-20 cm) across. Their texture is slightly rough due to fine hairs on both surfaces. Veins radiate from the central point of the leaf, providing a distinct, palmate veining pattern that aids in identification.

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Flower Features

Purple-flowering raspberry boasts rose-like, fragrant flowers that span approximately 2 inches (5 cm) in width. These flat, rose-purple blossoms grace the plant from April to August, eventually fading to magenta-pink as summer progresses. The flowers are distinguished by their perfume and vibrant color, offering a visually striking and aromatic display throughout the blooming period.

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Stem Features

The stems of purple-flowering raspberry are hairy and feature virtually no prickles, making them distinguishable from many other species. As the stems mature, the bark starts to peel off in layers. The stems emit a scent reminiscent of cedar, adding another layer of uniqueness. Typically, the stems are sturdy with a moderate thickness, supporting numerous branches that create a bushy appearance. The color ranges from green in younger stems to a brownish hue as they age.

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Fruit Features

The fruit of purple-flowering raspberry is a 3/4 inch (1.9 cm) diameter, red, cup-shaped berry. Typically available from July to October, these fruits are a distinguishing feature of the plant. Edible when ripe, they exhibit a fleshy texture and house multiple small seeds. The fruits' vibrant red hue provides a striking contrast against the foliage, making them quite noticeable. Their rounded form and cup-like shape are pivotal characteristics for recognition by novice plant enthusiasts.

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Purple-flowering raspberry and Their Similar Plants

Red raspberry vs. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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.

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

Common blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) is a deciduous shrub endemic to North America. This wild plant is commonly found on clearings and woodland margins. Its fruit is edible and has a sweet, mildly spicy taste. The fruits are most commonly eaten raw, but they can also be cooked or dried.

Black raspberry vs. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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.

Cutleaf evergreen blackberry vs. Purple-flowering raspberry: 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 Purple-flowering raspberry

Attributes of Purple-flowering raspberry

Lifespan

Perennial

Plant Type

Shrub

Plant Height

3 m

Spread

1.8 m to 3.5 m

Leaf Color

Green

Flower Size

3 cm to 5 cm

Leaf type

Deciduous

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Scientific Classification of Purple-flowering raspberry

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Roses, elms, figs, and allies

Family

Rose

Genus

Brambles

Species

Purple-flowering raspberry (Rubus odoratus)

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Distribution Map of Purple-flowering raspberry

Purple-flowering raspberry is a plant originally native to the North American region. It has been introduced and cultivated across various parts of Europe, particularly in central, eastern, and northern regions. Purple-flowering raspberry thrives across these areas both in the wild and as a cultivated species, demonstrating its adaptability to diverse climates and habitats.

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

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A Comprehensive Guide to Purple-flowering raspberry How to Grow and Care for Purple-flowering raspberry