The genus Rubus, (especially the blackberries, which are often loosely referred to as Rubus fruticosus agg.) presents some of the most difficult taxonomic problems. This is partly due to the frequency of polyploidy; also to the frequent occurrence of hybridization; and also due to apomixis, where minor differences between plants are preserved because seedlings are genetically identical to their parent. As a result, differences of opinion on the number of species to be recognized from a given region can vary tremendously (for example, a treatment by M. L. Fernald[] in 1950 recognized 205 species for the northern half of the eastern United States plus parts of southeastern Canada, whilst H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist in 1991 recognized only 25)[]. Where possible, a relatively conservative approach is taken here[].

Common Name: Sand Blackberry

General Information

Rubus cuneifolius is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub producing each year a cluster of erect, occasionally arching, densely-prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the stems are usually 50 - 100cm tall, occasionally reaching 300cm[]. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting
The plant is commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It has occasionally been cultivated in the southern states of N. America[].
Rubus cuneifolius has sometimes been cultivated as a fruit crop outside of its native range - it has escaped from cultivation in South Africa and Australia. Spreading first by bird-sown seed, the plant then spreads by suckers and can form dense thickets as one clump merges into another. It outcompetes native vegetation and has been declared a weed[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Eastern N. America - New York and New Hampshire, south to Louisiana and Florida

Habitat

Dry sandy or rocky soils of the coastal plain and outer piedmont[]. Dry to damp open areas, sandy or rocky soil; at elevations up to 300 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	0.50 m
Pollinators	Apomictic
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent[].
This species is valued in southern USA for its late ripening fruits with small pyrenes[].The cultivar 'Oneco Blackberry' has been grown in Florida[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].
The species is distinguished from most other blackberries in the flora area by its usually strongly erect and shrub-forming habit[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Dry but sweet and with a good flavour[]. The fruit is about 9mm in diameter[]. The black, globose to cylindrical fruit can be up to 25mm long and has a delicious flavour[, ].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

This species has been used in Rubus breeding programmes, including for raspberries, and has been involved in sevaral cultivars[].

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].