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: Alleghany Blackberry

General Information

Rubus allegheniensis is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of erect to arching, spiny, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow from 100 - 300cm tall. 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.
Commonly harvested from the wild for local use as a food, the plant also has a range of medical applications. It is often cultivated for its edible fruits in America, and sometimes also in Europe[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Eastern N. America - Ontario to Quebec and Nova Scotia, south to Arkansas and North Carolina.

Habitat

Dry thickets, clearings and woodland margins[]. Woodlands, savannahs, prairies, meadows, rock outcrops, disturbed areas, growing in dry to damp soils; at elevations up to 1,600 metres[].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Deciduous Shrub
Height	2.00 m
Growth Rate	Medium
Pollinators	Apomictic
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, ].
Often cultivated for its edible fruits in America, and sometimes in Europe, it is the parent of many named varieties[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[, , , ]. A pleasant sweet and somewhat spicy flavour[, , , ]. The black, globose to cylindrical fruit is about 12mm in diameter[] and can be 30mm long[].

Young shoots - raw. They are harvested in the spring, peeled and used in salads[].

Medicinal

The roots are antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, astringent, stimulant and tonic[]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of stomach complaints, diarrhoea, piles, coughs and colds, tuberculosis and rheumatism[]. The infusion has also been used by women threatened with a miscarriage[]. The root can be chewed to treat a coated tongue[].
Used externally, an infusion of the root has been used as a wash for sore eyes[].

The leaves are astringent[]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea[].

An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of urinary problems[].

A decoction of the stems has been used as a diuretic[].

Other Uses

This species is used in blackberry breeding programmes for obtaining erect growth, resistance to frost and improving fruit quality[]. It has been involved in the establishment of numerous blackberry 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[].