Rubus occidentalis – Black Raspberry

General Information: These native thorny bushes supply humans and wildlife alike with delicious berries in early summer. Watch out for the thorns when harvesting! In addition to being a foodsource, Black Raspberries have a beautiful stem coloration and arching habit. They have been used as both food and medicine by Indigenous Peoples of North America. They are also commonly enjoyed by foragers and exotic food enthusiasts.  While they can lend a somewhat chaotic appearance if left unmanaged, manicured bushes develop a pleasant many-branched drooping form which accents their interesting coloration. First-year growth (primocanes) have a waxy coating which gives them a gray-green appearance. The second-year growth (floricanes) on which the fruits are borne, turns a wine red color. These features lend for easy identification of this plant in the wild, even in the middle of winter, and certainly make for a focal point in the garden as well! Black Raspberries are not just enjoyed by people – they are an important early-season nectar source for pollinators, a crucial mid-summer food source for nesting birds and mammals, as well as a host plant for the larvae of several species of Moth and Butterfly.

Edible Qualities: Dark purple-black berries emerge in mid-June and persist for roughly 3 weeks. They are fantastic in jams and jellies, pies, pureed into smoothies, added to yogurt or cereal, or enjoyed fresh. The fruits are just as versatile as Raspberries or Blackberries. Unlike Blackberries, Black Raspberries do not contain a core (known as a fleshy receptacle), preventing the sometimes bitter aftertaste associated with Blackberries. Berries collected at the deepest purple stage of ripening are sweetest, while those with red pigmentation have varying degrees of acidity and can at times be intensely sour. The seeds may occasionally lodge in one’s teeth, but aside from this minor inconvenience they are flavorless, easily chewed, and do not hinder the enjoyment of this fruit. Although the fruits are in many ways similar to Blackberries and Raspberries, they have a particularly unique flavor. Unfortunately, the fruits contain enzymes which start degrading the fruits the moment they are picked, thus limiting their shelf life to just a few hours. Adventurous wild food aficionados have cooked the spring shoots of this plant, which can be peeled and boiled in a manner similar to Asparagus. The leaves of this species can also be used fresh or dried to make a refreshing herbal tea.

Cultivation Details: There are many named varieties and cultivars of this species, but our selection is the best of the wild patches which occur around our farm. These plants spread by suckers which form as the tips of the canes touch the ground. Canes are biennial, so some are required to root each year to promote a patch’s longevity. Second-year canes can be identified as being much darker purple-red and generally thicker than first-year canes. Bushiness can be encouraged by pinching off the soft tips of new growth in late summer. The thorns produced by this species may occasionally be troublesome but are generally 1 cm or shorter and not nearly as problematic as some other Blackberry species. Black Raspberries are a wonderful choice for a food forest, especially in areas that are some distance from main walkways. They perform exceptionally well under trees and are one of the few food producing species that is naturally adapted to produce fruit in some shade. Consider pairing with Juneberry (Amelanchier spp), Elderberry (Sambucus canadensis), Chokeberries (Aronia spp), Hardy Kiwi (Actinidia spp), Highbush Blueberries (Vaccinium macrocarpon), Hardy Figs (Ficus carica), Honeyberries (Lonicera caerulea), Mulberries (Morus spp), Hazelnuts (Corylus americana), and any other fruit or nut tree to expand your harvest times!

Growing Requirements: Plant in full sun to partial shade. Fruits from plants grown in full sun may dry out quicker than those in part shade. Prefers moist, well-drained soils. Tolerates most soil types so long as they are well-drained. Plants in dry, sandy sites benefit from companion plants or a deep layer of organic mulch. Suitable for mildly acidic, neutral, and mildly alkaline soils. Plants grown in alkaline soils may not grow as vigorously or produce as abundantly as those in neutral or acidic soils.

Fun Facts: This species is native to Eastern North America. In the western half of the country, a very similar species, Rubus leucodermis is found. The two species are nearly indistinguishable in flavor and appearance, yet their native ranges are separated by about 1,000 miles due to the Rocky Mountains. Artificial blue raspberry flavoring was synthesized from a compound found in these berries. The species name “occidentalis” meaning “from the West,” can therefore be rather confusing, as this species does not occur in the Western US!