European Blackberry

Origin: 

Native to Europe and parts of Asia.

Distinguishing features:

• Very strong, hooked prickles/thorns: Stems (canes) are densely covered with robust, very sharp, hooked prickles.

• Ribbed, arching canes: Canes are often distinctly ribbed or angled, and grow in long, arching or scrambling fashion, rooting where their tips touch the ground.

• Compound leaves (3 or 5 leaflets): Leaves are usually divided into three or five (sometimes seven) oval to elliptical leaflets, often somewhat wrinkled or pleated.

• White to pinkish-white flowers: Clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers with five petals.

• Glossy black, edible berries: Produces familiar clusters of juicy, shiny black, aggregated fruits (berries) that are sweet when ripe.

• Dense, impenetrable thickets: Forms extensive, thorny, tangled masses that can be many metres deep and wide.

Overall appearance: 

A sprawling, very thorny, and highly vigorous shrub that forms dense, tangled thickets. It is easily recognised by its formidable prickles, arching stems, and the familiar black berries.

Height: 

Canes typically grow 1 to 3 metres tall, but they sprawl and climb extensively, often forming dense layers many metres deep.

Width: 

Forms dense, spreading clumps or thickets that can extend many square metres, covering large areas due to its aggressive rooting and suckering.

Leaves: 

Semi-evergreen to deciduous, alternate, and typically palmately compound, meaning they are divided into three or five (sometimes seven) leaflets originating from a central point. The leaflets are oval to elliptical, 4 to 12 centimetres long, with sharply toothed margins. They are dark green above, often somewhat wrinkled or pleated, and paler, sometimes hairy, on the underside.

Flowers: 

Small, white to pinkish-white, five-petalled, about 2 to 3 centimetres in diameter, with numerous stamens. They are borne in large, often pyramidal clusters (panicles) at the ends of branches. The flowers are hermaphroditic.

Flowering season (South Africa): 

Mainly flowers in summer (around November to February), but can have a prolonged flowering period depending on conditions.

Fruits: 

Aggregated fruits (berries), typically conical to oblong, 1.5 to 3 centimetres long, composed of many small, juicy drupelets. They are initially green, turning red, and finally glossy black when ripe. They are sweet and highly edible.

Seeds: 

Small, hard, angular to oval seeds, each contained within a drupelet of the fruit. Numerous seeds are produced per berry.

Bark: 

Canes are typically green to reddish-brown, often ribbed or angled, and covered in a whitish waxy bloom, especially when young. They become woody and tougher with age.

Thorns: 

Canes are densely covered with numerous, very strong, sharp, flattened, and distinctively hooked prickles (spines), typically 5-10 millimetres long, though they can be larger. These make the plant extremely difficult to handle and penetrate.

Wood: 

The canes are woody but generally not of timber quality.

Roots: 

Develops a robust, fibrous root system that includes extensive rhizomes and root suckers, enabling rapid vegetative spread. Its canes also root readily when their tips touch the ground, forming new plants.

Soil type: 

Highly adaptable to a wide range of soil conditions, including poor, degraded, and rocky soils. It thrives in fertile, moist, well-drained loams but can tolerate a variety of conditions, including some waterlogging or drought.

Aspect: 

Prefers full sun for optimal growth and fruit production, but can tolerate partial shade. It is very hardy and tolerant of frost. It readily colonises disturbed areas, particularly those with good moisture availability.