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Blackberries, Rubus spp.
Rosaceae

Height: Erect, arching, or trailing shrubs. Stems are angular and armed with stout prickles.

Leaves: Alternate and palmately compound with 3-7 leaflets (usually 5). Leaflets are 8-13 cm ling, oval, elliptical, or ovate, usually gradually tapering to point, and unequally toothed or sharply doubled toothed. Both surfaces are hairless or hairy only along the veins beneath. The under surface is soft-hairy in one of our species, namely R. pensilvanicus.

Flowers: White, 2-4 cm across, the petals is large and spreading. The calyx is usually hairless outside and wooly inside. They have many stamens and pistils. Blooms in July.

Fruit: Similar to those of the raspberry but are black. The drupelets are not as compact and do not separate from the receptacle. Ripen in September.

Habitat: Found in dry and moist thickets, clearings, and along roadsides. Seven species have been recorded from Newfoundland: R. Canadensis L., R. elegantulus Blanch., R. kennedyanus Fern., R. pensilvanicus Poir., R. recurvicaulis Blanch., R. ulterior Bailey, and R. vermontanus Blanch. The most common species appears to be R. Canadensis.

General: Blackberries are a very complex and confusing group. The species are difficult to identify due to many intermediate characteristics resulting from hybridization.

Source: Native Trees and Shrubs
of Newfoundland and Labrador
By A. Glen Ryan

Used with permission from
Parks and Natural Areas Division
Department of Environment and Conservation
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador 1995