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Black Raspberry Rubus occidentalis

       

Foliage Type: leaf Arrangement: compound, alternate

Distinguishing features:

  • 3 to 5 leaflets (if 5, always pinnately arranged)
  • leaves are 2 to 3 inches long, egg-shaped and rounded to somewhat heart-shaped at base, pointed at tip
  • leaf margins doubly-toothed
  • leaves whitened and downy beneath
  • leafstalks bristly
  • Arching, round canes 2 to 6 feet high, strongly whitened with scattered hooked prickles and leafstalks (with smaller but similar prickles).

Habitats:

  • dry mesic sites
  • mesic sites
  • wet mesic sites

Often confused with:

  • Common Blackberry

Ecological Value:

  • Habitat
  • Food for many organisms

Did You Know?

  • Raspberries ripen in July, while Blackberries ripen in August.
  • Over 150 birds and mammals feed on the fruit

Uses / Ethnobotanical uses:

  • Tea remedy for diarrhea, dysentery, stomach pain, gonorrhea, back pain, "female tonic", blood tonic for boils.
  • Used to strengthen pergnant women, aid in childbirth.
  • Fruit syrup gargled for inflanme tonsils.

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 Copyright 1999, 2000, 2001. This page was created by H. Knodle, M. Luthin, D. Jakes, P. Vandersteen & R. Lundquist.

Last updated on September 30, 2001.

 Please send any suggestions or corrections to H. Knodle