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Rubus allegheniensis (Allegheny blackberry)
Smith, R.W.

Rubus allegheniensis

Rubus allegheniensis Porter

Allegheny Blackberry

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

USDA Symbol: RUAL

USDA Native Status: L48 (N), CAN (N)

A multi-stemmed shrub, usually 3-6 ft. tall and between 6-12 ft. wide. Commonly forms broad colonies. Erect branches become arching. Bark is purplish-red and armed with prickles. Dark green summer foliage is palmately or pinnately compound, becoming orange, red and purple in fall. Loose, terminal clusters of five-petaled flowers are followed by thimble-shaped, raspberry-like, black berries.

The Highbush Blackberry is a member of the family Rosaceae, which includes about 2000 species of trees, shrubs, and herbs worldwide; approximately 77 native and 9 naturalized tree species and many species of shrubs and herbs in North America; including service-berries (Amelanchier), hawthorns (Crataegus), apples (Malus), plums and cherries (Prunus), and mountain-ashes (Sorbus).

 

From the Image Gallery

9 photo(s) available in the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Subshrub
Leaf Retention: Deciduous
Fruit Type: Aggregate , Drupe
Size Notes: Up to about 10 feet tall, often shorter.
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Black, aggregated drupelets.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Apr , May , Jun , Jul

Distribution

USA: AL , AR , CA , CT , DC , GA , IA , IL , IN , KS , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , MO , NC , NE , NH , NJ , NY , OH , OK , PA , RI , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV
Canada: NB , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: N.S. to Que. & MN, s. to NC, AL, MO & OK
Native Habitat: Dry, upland pastures; open woods; prairies; roadsides

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Sun , Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
Soil pH: Acidic (pH<6.8)
CaCO3 Tolerance: High
Soil Description: Variable.

Benefit

Use Wildlife: Very high for songbirds, game birds, and large and small mammals.
Warning: Plant has thorns or prickles.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes
Attracts: Birds

Value to Beneficial Insects

Special Value to Native Bees
Special Value to Bumble Bees
Special Value to Honey Bees
Provides Nesting Materials/Structure for Native Bees

This information was provided by the Pollinator Program at The Xerces Society for Invertebrate Conservation.

National Wetland Indicator Status

Region:AGCPAKAWCBEMPGPHIMWNCNEWMVE
Status: UPL FACU FACU UPL FACU FACU FAC
This information is derived from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers National Wetland Plant List, Version 3.1 (Lichvar, R.W. 2013. The National Wetland Plant List: 2013 wetland ratings. Phytoneuron 2013-49: 1-241). Click here for map of regions.

Web Reference

Webref 30 - Calflora (2018) Calflora
Webref 38 - Flora of North America (2019) Missouri Botanical Garden, St. Louis, MO & Harvard University Herbaria, Cambridge, MA.
Webref 23 - Southwest Environmental Information Network (2009) SEINet - Arizona Chapter

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rubus allegheniensis in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rubus allegheniensis in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rubus allegheniensis

Metadata

Record Modified: 2022-10-21
Research By: TWC Staff

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