Blackberry
Rubus allegheniensis
Family Rosaceae

Characteristics:
* There are over 122 varieties of blackberry, and blackberries can be recognized by their angular stems.
* Leaves compound, with 3-7 leaflets that are arranged in a fan-like shape.
* Leaflets ovate and pointed, woolly or velvety beneath, 3-8".
* Flowers white, resembling wild roses.
* Fruits black, shiny, firm, compound, cylindrical, 1/2-1".
* Height: To 10".

Natural History:
* Flowers May - July.
* Fruits July - September.
* Habitat: Thickets, roadsides, meadow edges.
* Range: Southeastern Canada and eastern and central United States.
* Native.

Connections!
* Blackberries, raspberries, and the fruits of other brambles are not, technically, berries, since the term denotes a fleshy fruit containing seeds. Instead, bramble fruits are considered drupes, or fleshy fruits with stony pits. This explains the little stones that remain lodged in your teeth long after a blackberry-picking outing.

* Blackberry fruits are enjoyed by all kinds of birds and small mammals, as well as humans. They can be made into jam and pies and eaten, sun-warmed, right off the bush. They yield a deep purple dye which was used by colonial Americans to dye wool.