Rubus occidentalis

Rubus occidentalis is a deciduous shrub growing to {{convert|2|to|3|m|ft}} tall.{{Cite book|last=Marrone|first=Teresa|title=Indiana, Kentucky and Ohio Wild Berries & Fruits Field Guide|publisher=Teresa Marrone|year=2011|pages=262nd Page}} The leaves are pinnate, with five leaflets on leaves, strong-growing stems in their first year, and three leaflets on leaves on flowering branchlets. The flowers are distinct in having long, slender sepals {{convert|6|to|8|mm|in}} long, more than twice as long as the petals. The round-shaped fruit is a {{convert|12|to|15|mm|in|adj=on}} diameter aggregation of drupelets; it is edible, and has a high content of anthocyanins and ellagic acid.Oklahoma Biological Survey: [http://biosurvey.ou.edu/shrub/rubu-occ.htm Rubus occidentalis]Bioimages: [http://www.cas.vanderbilt.edu/bioimages/species/frame/ruoc.htm Rubus occidentalis]

Long stems also called canes grow up to {{convert|1.8|m|ft}} in length, usually forming an arch shape, but sometimes upright. Canes have curved, sharp thorns, while immature canes are unbranched and have a whitish bloom.{{Cite book|last=Marrone|first=Teresa|title=Indiana, Kentucky, and Ohio Wild Berries & Fruits Field Guide|year=2011|location=Midwestern United States of America|pages=262nd Page}}

The black raspberry is related to the red raspberry Rubus idaeus and Rubus strigosus, sharing the white underside of leaves,{{cite web |last1=Barotz |first1=Sharon |last2=Bilodeau |first2=Carrie |title=Black Raspberry |url=http://www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/medicinal_plants/pages/Black_raspberry.html |website=Medicinal Plants of the Northeast |publisher=Brandeis University |access-date=2 July 2021}} and fruit that readily detaches from the carpel.

It is closely related to Rubus leucodermis, which is also named black raspberry and blackcap. Native Plants Of The Pacific Northwest [http://nativeplantspnw.com/blackcap-raspberry-rubus-leucodermis/]

File:Black Raspberry.jpg

The plant grows in disturbed areas, especially those that are logged or cut. It is also found in meadows, and near streams and lakes, trails or roadways. The native range of Rubus occidentalis extends as far east as New Brunswick, as far west as Nebraska, as far north as Quebec, and as far south as Mississippi.{{Cite web|date=2014|title=The Biota of North America Program|url=http://bonap.org|url-status=live|archive-url=https://archive.today/20210629221243/http://bonap.org/|archive-date=2021-06-29|website=The Biota of North America Program}}

Apple mosaic virus, black raspberry necrosis virus, Elsinoë veneta, raspberry bushy dwarf virus, raspberry leaf curl virus, Rhizobium radiobacter, Rhizobium rhizogenes, Didymella applanata, Monilinia fructigena, Peronospora sparsa, and Peridroma saucia all infest black raspberries.{{Cite web|title=Rubus occidentalis, black raspberry|url=https://www.cabi.org/isc/datasheet/48009|date=19 November 2019|accessdate=11 August 2021|website=CABI Invasive Species Compendium}}

Common black raspberry cultivars include: Black Hawk, Bristol, Jewel, Cumberland, Morrison, Munger, and Logan.{{Cite web|date=8 November 2021|title=Raspberry varieties (includes black raspberries)|url=https://harvesttotable.com/raspberry_varieties_there_are/|publisher=Harvest to Table|accessdate=11 August 2021}}

The center for black raspberry production is in the Willamette Valley in Oregon. The main cultivar, 'Munger', is grown on about {{Convert|600|ha|acre}}. Other cultivars include 'John Robertson', 'Allen', 'Jewel', 'Blackhawk', 'Macblack', 'Plum Farmer', 'Dundee', 'Hanover', and 'Huron'. The plants are summer tipped by hand, mechanically pruned in winter and then machine harvested. The yields are generally low per acre and this is why the fruits are often expensive.

The species has been used in the breeding of many Rubus hybrids; those between red and black raspberries are common under the name purple raspberries; 'Brandywine', 'Royalty', and 'Estate' are examples of purple raspberry cultivars. Wild purple raspberries have also been found in various places in northeastern North America where the two parental species co-occur and occasionally hybridize naturally.

The berries are typically dried or frozen, made into purées and juices, or processed as colorants. Fresh berries are also marketed in season. Two well-known liqueurs based predominantly on black raspberry fruit include France's Chambord Liqueur Royale de France and South Korea's various kinds of Bokbunja-ju.

File:Pomological Watercolor POM00007255.jpg|Black raspberry — watercolor, 1893

File:Black raspberries in a basket, side view.jpg|A punnet of black raspberries

• Black raspberry ice cream, an ice cream flavor made with this type of berry
• Dewberry, a sub-set of blackberries
• Rubus niveus and Rubus coreanus, related Asian species

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• {{Commons category-inline|Rubus occidentalis}}
• [http://bonap.net/MapGallery/County/Rubus%20occidentalis.png Biota of North America Program 2014 county distribution map]
• {{PFAF|Rubus occidentalis}}

{{Taxonbar|from=Q7376217}}

occidentalis

Category:Berries

Category:Flora of Canada

Category:Flora of the Eastern United States

Category:Garden plants

Category:Medicinal plants

Category:Plants described in 1753

Category:Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus

Category:Symbols of Alabama