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Summary
Black Raspberry (R. occidentalis) tolerates semi-arid conditions and is drought-tolerant once established. Its small, sweet, edible black fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and used in pies and preserves. Its quality varies, with the best varieties having a rich, tangy flavour. Like rhubarb, young shoots can also be eaten, either raw or cooked. These shoots are harvested in spring when they first emerge and are still tender, and then peeled before eating. Tea is made from the leaves or the bark of the root. Rubus are a diverse group of plants, including blackberries, raspberries and dewberries. They are all rose family members and are mainly native to the Northern Hemisphere. They are found in various habitats, including forests, meadows, and even deserts. Rubus plants are important food sources for humans and animals, and their berries are used in jams, pies and wines. Several species of Rubus are adaptable to dry, arid, semi-arid, or Mediterranean climates. These species tend to be drought-tolerant, surviving in regions with limited rainfall and thriving in well-drained soils.
Physical Characteristics
Rubus occidentalis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft 10in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower in June. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Shoots Stem
Edible Uses: Tea
Fruit - raw or cooked and used in pies, preserves etc[2, 3, 34, 62, 85, 101, 183]. It is of variable quality, with the finest forms having a rich acid flavour[2]. The hemispherical fruit is about 15mm in diameter[200]. Young shoots - raw or cooked like rhubarb[101, 161, 183, 257]. They are harvested as they emerge through the soil in the spring, and whilst they are still tender, and then peeled[K]. A tea is made from the leaves and another from the bark of the root[161, 183], 257.
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Astringent Cathartic Dysentery Ophthalmic Pectoral Salve TB VD
The roots are cathartic[257]. A decoction of the roots has been used in the treatment of gonorrhoea[257]. The root has been chewed in the treatment of coughs and toothache[257]. An infusion of the roots has been used as a wash for sore eyes[257]. The root has been used, combined with Hypericum spp, to treat the first stages of consumption[257]. An infusion of the astringent root bark is used in the treatment of diarrhoea and dysentery[213, 222]. The leaves are highly astringent[257]. A decoction is used in the treatment of bowel complaints[257]. A tea made from the leaves is used as a wash for old and foul sores, ulcers and boils[222, 257]. A decoction of the roots, stems and leaves has been used in the treatment of whooping cough[257].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye
Agroforestry uses: Rubus species can serve as ground cover, helping to prevent soil erosion. They provide habitat and food for various wildlife species, including birds and beneficial insects. Their thorns can also act as a natural barrier. A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168]. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen:
Yes – Rubus species (including blackberries, raspberries, etc.) produce flowers that are rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators.
2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting):
Yes – Rubus species produce abundant berries that are a significant food source for birds, mammals, and insects. Their dense thickets also provide shelter and nesting sites for small animals and birds.
3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover):
Yes – The dense, sprawling growth habit of Rubus species provides excellent cover and shelter for invertebrates, with leaf litter creating ground habitat. They also offer overwintering sites in their stems and leaf litter.
4. Pest Confuser (Smell):
No – Rubus species are not typically known for emitting scents that confuse pests.
Special Uses
Food Forest
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[1, 11, 200]. Sometimes cultivated, especially in N. America, for its edible fruit[183], it is a parent of many named varieties[1, 34]. This species is a raspberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[200]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200]. For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a running thicket former forming a colony from shoots away from the crown spreading indefinitely [1-2]. The root pattern is flat with shallow roots forming a plate near the soil surface [1-2]. The root pattern is suckering with new plants from underground runners away from the plant [1-2]. Berries are typically harvested in summer, from late spring to early autumn, depending on the species and local climate. Rubus species generally flower in late spring to early summer, usually from May to June (Northern Hemisphere), depending on the specific species and environmental conditions. Rubus species are known for their vigorous growth and can establish quickly, often spreading through both seeds and vegetative propagation. They can reach maturity in 1 to 2 years, with some species growing rapidly within a single growing season. Many Rubus species are self-fertile, meaning that a single plant can produce fruit on its own. However, some varieties may benefit from cross-pollination to increase yield.
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
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Plant Propagation
Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame[200]. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[200].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Black Raspberry, Rubus occidentalis
Native Range
NORTHERN AMERICA: Canada, Québec, Ontario, New Brunswick, United States, Connecticut, Indiana, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, Vermont, West Virginia, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas (east), Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska (east & central), North Dakota (southeast), Oklahoma, South Dakota (east & south), Wisconsin, Arkansas, Delaware, Georgia (north), Kentucky, Maryland, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Virginia,
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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