Recognized as a distinct species in the USDA 'Plants Database' https://plants.usda.gov/core/profile?symbol=RUBE, this species is treated as a synonym of Rubus pensilvanicus Poir., in the Flora of N. America[].
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: Kittatinny Blackberry

General Information

Rubus bellobatus is a deciduous shrub producing each year a cluster of erect to arching, prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the stems can be 100 - 300cm long. 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 harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It has long been cultivated for its fruit in N. America where, for many years it held a leading place. It is also a parent of several blackberry cultivars[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Central and eastern N. America - Minnesota to New York, south to Kansas and North Carolina.

Habitat

Thickets and woodland edges[].Woodlands, savannahs, prairies, fields, meadows, swamps, rock outcrops, sand dunes, sandy soil, disturbed areas, dry to wet soil; at elevations up to 1,400 metres[].

Properties

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

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
This species is a blackberry with biennial stems, it produces a number of new stems each year from the perennial rootstock, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[].
A parent of many cultivated forms of blackberry in N. America, the cultivar 'Kittatinny' has been available in Britain[].
The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent[]
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked[, ]. Large and delicious[]. The black, oblong fruit is about 30mm long[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

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[].