Allegheny Blackberry (Rubus allegheniensis) Porter, 1896 |
Synonyms: Rubus villosus var. montanus, Rubus acadiensis, Rubus alumnus, Rubus apianus, Rubus glandicaulis (see Flora of North America online for more synonyms ), common blackberry |
Rubus allegheniensis is native to eastern and central North America (from the Great Lakes and Nova Scotia south to the Gulf of Mexico and Florida); introduced on the West Coast (British Columbia and California). Allegheny Blackberry grows in dry and moist soils at forest edges and gaps, in woodlands, savannas, meadows, and hedges; 0-1,600 m. Shade intolerant; benefits from fires, blowdowns, and logging; often forms dense thickets. Shrub, 1-3 m in height; stems are arching, armed with prickles. Leaves are deciduous, alternate, palmately compound; leaflets ovate to lanceolate, with serrate margins; abaxial surfaces armed with prickles on the mid-vein. Flowers arranged in terminal racemes (15-25 per inflorescence); 5 white petals. Fruits are black or dark violet, globose, with 20-100 drupelets. R. allegheniensis flowers in May-July. Hybridizes with Rubus canadensis, R. flagellaris, R. pensilvanicus, and R. setosus.