blackberry

Blackberry is the common name for the edible fruit produced by several species in the genus Rubus, in the family Rosaceae, with the Rubus fruticosus aggregate being the most widely cultivated group. The fruit is an aggregate comprising numerous drupelets that cluster around a central core; ripe fruit is dark purple to black and has a glossy appearance. The plant is a perennial, typically producing trailing or arching canes that may be thorny.

Blackberries are native to temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere and are widely cultivated for fresh consumption and processing. They can be grown as hedgerows, field crops, or in backyard plots. The plants form primocanes in their first year and floricanes in the second year, with pruning promoting new cane growth.

Nutritious value: high in vitamin C and dietary fiber and contain antioxidants such as anthocyanins. Culinary uses include fresh eating, jams, pies, wines, and frozen products. In the wild, fruit is an important food source for birds and mammals.

Cultivation and management: require well-drained soil, full sun, and regular moisture. Pruning practices vary by cultivar but commonly involve removing older fruit-bearing canes after harvest and training new growth on trellises. Some Rubus species can be invasive when introduced outside their native range and may spread by underground runners.

Disambiguation: The capitalized term BlackBerry refers to the smartphone brand developed by BlackBerry Limited, unrelated to the edible fruit.