Blackberry (Rubus spp.)
The Genus Rubus, which includes Blackberry, Dewberry, and Raspberry, contains several species that differ sometimes only slightly, some of which are erect or arching shrubs up to 8 feet high. Other species trail along the ground and are vine-like. Most plants have thorny or bristly stems, and all but one species in North Carolina has compound leaves. New shoots seldom have flowers or fruits; however in the second year the branches will flower and fruit. Typically, the ?ídewberries?ì produce fruits in the spring and the ?íblackberries or raspberries?ì during summer.
WildlifeProvides excellent cover year round. Butterflies and other insects are attracted to the blooms. Fruits are relished by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons, and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotten fruits. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves. This Genus contains some of the most important plants for wildlife in the Southeast.
| Plant Type |
Shrub |
| Leaf Type |
Deciduous |
| Deer Resistance |
Moderate |
| Regions |
Mountain, Piedmont, Coastal Plain |
| Light |
Full Sun, Partial Sun/Shade |
| Soil |
Wet, Moist, Dry |
| Bloom Times |
Spring |
| Seed Times |
Summer |
| Wildlife Value |
Winter Cover, Fleshy Fruit, Seed or Nut, Butterfly/Insect Nectar |
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