Thicket/ Tall Blackberry

COMMON NAME: Tall Blackberry

OTHER COMMON NAME(S): Thimbleberry, Southern Blackberry

SCIENTIFIC NAME: Rubus argutus

FAMILY: Rosaceae

COMMUNITY: Thicket

STATUS: Native   

LIFESPAN: Woody shrub

HEIGHT: 6 feet

FLOWERING TIME: Mid May to June

FRUITING TIME: Late June to mid August

DISTRIBUTION: Massachusetts to Florida ~ Scattered throughout Coastal Plain and north to Hunterdon County in New Jersey

IDENTIFYING CHARACTERISTICS:, Stems erect, spreading, hooked prickles, green ~ Flowers white, 5-petaled, long stalk, clusters ~ Fruit juicy, black, 1 cm thick ~ Leaves oblong, less than half as wide as long, coarse teeth

GENERAL INFORMATION: The Rosaceae family commonly called the Rose Family consists of 107 genera and 3,100 species of herbs, shrubs and trees; most common in temperate and subtropical regions of the Northern Hemisphere.  The family is of great economic importance, providing us with fruits such as apples, cherries, plums, peaches, raspberries and strawberries and with ornamentals. Plants in this genus, Rubus, are commonly called “Brambles”.  They often have prickles and usually have an edible fruit.  The Latin name ruber means “red”.  This species, argutus, means “sharply serrate” and refers to the leaves of Tall Blackberry. Tall Blackberry, like other blackberries, can be eaten as a fresh fruit, used to prepare a cold drink or tea.  The fruit can be used to make jelly or jam.  The dried leaves can also be used to make tea and the tender blackberry shoots can be added fresh to salads.

Please note: While harvesting wild berries/fruit is permitted at Island Beach State Park, visitors must adhere to park regulations at all times and must not damage vegetation or go off designated trails.  This information is presented for educational purposes.