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Native Plant Database

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

Rubus allegheniensis Porter

Allegheny blackberry

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: rual

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

A multi-stemmed shrub, 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

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf: Green
Autumn Foliage: yes
Fruit: Black
Size Class: 6-12 ft.

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: White
Bloom Time: Jun

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

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.
Conditions Comments: Not Available

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.

Recommended Species Lists

Find native plant species by state. Each list contains commercially available species suitable for gardens and planned landscapes. Once you have selected a collection, you can browse the collection or search within it using the combination search.

View Recommended Species page

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: 2012-07-02
Research By: TWC Staff

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