Practical
Plants

Rubus allegheniensis

Alleghany Blackberry

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Rubus genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Rubus
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Apomictic
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Apomictic

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Fruit - raw, cooked or dried for later use[12][1][4][10]. A pleasant sweet and somewhat spicy flavour[11][3][6][7]. The fruit is about 12mm in diameter[8] and can be 3cm long[9]. Young shoots - raw. They are harvested in the spring, peeled and used in salads[7].

Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The roots are antihaemorrhoidal, antirheumatic, astringent, stimulant and tonic[10]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of stomach complaints, diarrhoea, piles, coughs and colds, tuberculosis and rheumatism[10]. The infusion has also been used by women threatened with a miscarriage[10]. The root can be chewed to treat a coated tongue[10]. An infusion of the root has been used as a wash for sore eyes[10]. The leaves are astringent[10]. An infusion can be used in the treatment of diarrhoea[10]. An infusion of the bark has been used in the treatment of urinary problems[10]. A decoction of the stems has been used as a diuretic[10].

Product or use
Antihaemorrhoidal
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Stimulant
Product or use
TB
Product or use
Tonic

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[5].

Product or use
Dye

Environment

Range
Eastern N. America - Nova Scotia to Ontario, New York, Virginia and North Carolina.
Habitat
Dry thickets, clearings and woodland margins[13].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

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, July/August in a frame[8]. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[8].

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[2][8]. Plants have biennial stems, they produce a number of new stems from the perennial rootstock each year, these stems fruit in their second year and then die[8]. Often cultivated for its edible fruits in America, it is the parent of many named varieties. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[8].

References

  1. Turner. N. J. and Szczawinski. A. Edible Wild Fruits and Nuts of Canada. National Museum of Natural Sciences 1978-00-00

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  2. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

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  3. McPherson. A. and S. Wild Food Plants of Indiana. Indiana University Press 1977-00-00 ISBN 0-253-28925-4

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  4. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

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  5. Grae. I. Nature's Colors - Dyes from Plants. MacMillan Publishing Co. New York. 1974-00-00 ISBN 0-02-544950-8

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  6. Hill. A. F. Economic Botany. The Maple Press 1952-00-00

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  7. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Britton. N. L. Brown. A. An Illustrated Flora of the Northern United States and Canada Dover Publications. New York. 1970-00-00 ISBN 0-486-22642-5

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  10. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8↩9↩10

  11. Simmons. A. E. Growing Unusual Fruit. David and Charles 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-7153-5531-7

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  12. Harrison. S. Wallis. M. Masefield. G. The Oxford Book of Food Plants. Oxford University Press 1975-00-00

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  13. Fernald. M. L. Gray's Manual of Botany. American Book Co. 1950-00-00

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