Rubus americanus (American Blackberry)

The blackberry is native to the temperate and subtropical zones of Europe, North Africa, Western Asia and North America, also in South America and Brazil there are native species, especially in Southern Brazil. The blackberry thrives in sun to partial shade locations, such as sparse forests or their edges, with a lime- and nitrogen-rich soils.

Blackberries are climbing plants (scramblers) and grow between 1 2/3 to 10 feet tall, the stems are prickly, more or less depending on the variety and become woody with time. The spines of the plant used as a climbing aid and protection against animals. On the shoots, which the plant forms, sit alternate odd three-, five- and seven-counted pinnate, toothed leaves that are not thrown in the fall.

Only in the second year the plant forms from the individual shoots out special side shoots that are ínflorescences at the ends of them. Between June and Agust are the mostly white, rarely pink flowers forming. Each flower has five sepals and petals, and over 20 dust and carpels. The receptacle is bulging. After flowring the shoots die off.

The blue-black fruits are botanically speaking, no berries, but collection of stone fruits, which are formed from the individual carpels:Each of its small individual berries in the construction of a stone fruit (cherries, for example) and how this has just a thin outer skin. Unlike raspberries, the fruit is firmly attached to the receptacle. The fruit is juicy and tasty and can be collected from July to October.

The blackberry leaves are rich in tannins, they contain flavones, anthocyanidins, traces of essential oil and organic substances. The fruits contain vitamins A und C. Even small amounts of ellagic acid are contained in the fruit.

Also in our garden we have a larger specimen and several smaller. It is really amazing how they do well in frostfree climate!

Who didn't believe? Blackberries also in Brazil!

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Updated by Joachim Jaeck on April 2nd, 2011