Smooth blackberry (Rubus canadensis, Sp. Pl.: 494 (1753))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: L.

Bibliography: Sp. Pl.: 494 (1753)

Year: 1753

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rubus

Vegetable: Unknown

Observations: E. Canada to NC. & E. U.S.A.

Description

The Smooth Blackberry, scientifically known as Rubus canadensis, is a plant belonging to the Rosaceae family. This species was first described by L. in 1753 within the publication “Species Plantarum,” specifically on page 494. This perennial shrub is native to Eastern Canada and the Eastern United States, spanning from North Carolina in the south to extensive areas in the east of these regions.

Rubus canadensis is renowned for its growth in a variety of habitats, often found flourishing in open woods, clearings, and alongside roadsides. The Smooth Blackberry is adaptable to different soil types but tends to prefer moist, well-drained soils while thriving under full sun to partial shade conditions.

The plant is distinctive with its smooth, thornless stems—unlike many other members of the Rubus genus, which are typically bristling with spines. Its leaves are compound and usually consist of three to five leaflets that are serrated and display a vibrant green color during the growing season. During late spring to early summer, Rubus canadensis produces clusters of small, white to pale pink flowers that act as key attractants for various pollinators, such as bees and butterflies.

Following the flowering phase, the plant bears its most notable feature: the small, black, aggregate fruits known as blackberries. These fruits ripen by late summer, providing not only a delicious and nutritious treat rich in vitamins and antioxidants but also serving vital ecological roles by offering food for wildlife, including birds and mammals.

In addition to its ecological benefits, Rubus canadensis is appreciated for its potential uses in landscaping and garden designs, especially in naturalized areas and wildlife gardens. Its fruits can be harvested for fresh consumption, making jams, jellies, and baked goods, or even for making wine.

Despite the Smooth Blackberry’s wide range and adaptability, it contributes greatly to native plant communities and biodiversity. It stands as a representative species of the diverse and ecologically significant Rosaceae family within its geographical range, from the serene landscapes of Eastern Canada to the diverse ecosystems of the Eastern United States.

Common Names

Eng: canadian bramble, smooth blackberry, canada blackberry, thornless blackberry, millspaugh’s blackberry
Pol: jeżyna kanadyjska
Deu: kanadische brombeere
Swe: kanadabjörnbär
Ces: ostružník kanadský
Nld: spitsbraam
Fra: ronce du canada
En: Smooth blackberry, Canadian blackberry, Canadian Bramble, Canada blackberry, Thornless Blackberry, Millspaugh’s blackberry
Cs: Ostružiník kanadský, Ostružník kanadský
Nl: Spitsbraam
Fr: Ronce du Canada
De: Kanadische Brombeere
Fa: تمشک کانادایی
Pl: Jeżyna kanadyjska
Sv: Kanadabjörnbär

Synonyms

• Rubus acridens (L.H.Bailey)
• Selnorition canadensis ((L.) Raf. ex B.D.Jacks.)
• Rubus illustris (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus canadensis var. septemfoliolatus (Blanch.)
• Rubus canadensis var. randii ((L.H.Bailey) L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus canadensis var. micmacorum (Lepage)
• Rubus argutus var. randii ((L.H.Bailey) L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus canadensis var. millspaughii ((Britton) Blanch.)
• Rubus randii ((L.H.Bailey) Rydb.)
• Rubus montensis (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus montensis var. superior (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus besseyi (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus canadensis var. terrae-novae ((Fernald) L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus canadensis var. imus (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus laetabilis (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus ulterior (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus pergratus (Edees & A.Newton)
• Rubus pergratus var. terrae-novae (Fernald)
• Rubus millspaughii (Britton)
• Rubus villosus var. randii (L.H.Bailey)
• Rubus kennedyanus (Fernald)

Distribution

• Alabama (native)
• Connecticut (native)
• District of Columbia (native)
• Georgia (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Kentucky (native)
• Maine (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New Jersey (native)
• New York (native)
• Newfoundland (native)
• North Carolina (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Prince Edward I. (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• South Carolina (native)
• Tennessee (native)
• Vermont (native)
• Virginia (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Czechoslovakia (introduced)
• Denmark (introduced)
• Germany (introduced)
• Great Britain (introduced)
• Netherlands (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)
• Sweden (introduced)
• Yugoslavia (introduced)

Additional Images

Fruit

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Alexandre Racine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2020 by mimaflor (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 20, 2020 by Sylvie S (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Leaf

Taken Oct 29, 2021 by John Charon (cc-by-sa)

Taken Oct 26, 2022 by simard qu marc (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2022 by William Coville (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 16, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Aug 13, 2022 by Дмитрий Грибанов (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Filip Arndt (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 23, 2021 by Alexandre Racine (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 29, 2020 by Filip Arndt (cc-by-sa)

Flower

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − WVU Herbarium (cc-by-nc-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• IPNI (No URL)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:30010653-2)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/2991408)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rubus canadensis L.)

Specifications

Growth