Rubus pensilvanicus
Poir.
Pennsylvania Blackberry, Yankee blackberry
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Wikimedia Commons - Gordon Tucker
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Summary
Source: WikipediaA deciduous shrub reaching 3 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to alkaline pH ranges and adapts to semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions.
Description
A deciduous shrub reaching 3 m tall with hermaphroditic flowers pollinated by insects. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with good drainage. Grows in mildly acidic to alkaline pH ranges and adapts to semi-shade or full sun, preferring consistently moist conditions.
Edible Uses
Fruit can be eaten fresh or cooked.
Medicinal Uses
None known
Distribution
It is a temperate plant.
Where It Grows
North America, USA,
Cultivation
We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation
Seed requires stratification and germinates best when sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed needs one month at 3°C and should be sown as early as possible in spring. Transplant seedlings outdoors in late spring. Alternatively, take half-ripe cuttings in July/August, use tip layering in July, or divide established plants in early spring or autumn.
Other Uses
Fruit yields a purple to dull blue dye.
Notes
There are about 250 Rubus species.
Dangerous Lookalikes
This plant can be confused with the following toxic species. Always verify identification carefully before consuming any wild plant.
Red Baneberry
Actaea rubra
Walter Siegmund (talk)
Pennsylvania Blackberry
Rubus pensilvanicus
Wikimedia Commons - Gordon Tucker
Red Baneberry: Short herbaceous plant (no thorns), berries on thick red stems, each berry has a single seed, compound sharply-toothed leaves.
Pennsylvania Blackberry: Thorny woody canes (brambles), aggregate berry made of many drupelets, berries pull easily from receptacle.
References (3)
- Encycl. 6:246. 1804
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Toupal, R. S. & Hollenback, K., 2009, An Ethnobotany of Indiana Dunes National Lakeshore: Plant Uses of the Ojibwa People. Bureau of Applied Research in Anthropology. University of Arizona
