Rubus fruticosus

Braam / Blackberry

Rosaceae (Rozenfamilie)

Edible plant part (2)

Fruits, leaves
Read 'form of consumption' for safe preparation methods

Blackberry belongs to the herbacious layer in the food forest. In the process of ecological succession it is an early species. The growth rate is fast. Fully grown the plant has an average height of 0.4 to 1.5 meter. and a width of 0.2 to 1.5 meter.
The foliage (or leaf cover) is open.
This species forms a rhizomes shallow root system. This species is strongly spreading in the food forest. Blackberry is no nitrogen fixer.

Disclaimer: The types of cultivars and hybrids in this database have been carefully chosen for good quality properties for food forests. They do not mean instant success. Food forestry is still a young field in which it is a core value to have the right plant in the right place and to focus on great diversity.

foto: Vlad Proklov, https://www.flickr.com/photos/evergestis/35511567533/

foto: Vlad Proklov, https://www.flickr.com/photos/evergestis/35511567533/

Growth factors

Frost (whole plant): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Frost (flowers): very strong frost

cold frost

mild frost

light frost

no frost
Light: full sun

light shade

half shade

fairly deep shade

deep shade
Wind: strong sea wind

strong wind

some wind

sheltered

very sheltered
Soil texture: sand

loam

light clay

heavy clay

peat
Soil moisture: inundation

wet

moist

dry

drought
Groundwater level: very low

low

medium

high

very high
Soil acidity: very acid

acid

neutral

alkaline

very alkaline
Soil fertility: very rich

rich

average

poor

very poor

Voorkeur

Ongeschikt

Flowering and pollination

Flowering period (peak): varies per cultivar, end of march, early june, mid june, end of june, early july, mid july, end of july, early august, mid august, end of august, early september, mid september, end of september, early october, mid october, end of october
Flowering period (length): several months
Pollination vector: insects
Plant reproductive fertility: self-fertile (sf)

Life Span and Plant Health

Disease susceptibility

average

Main serious pests and diseases

fruit rot, rust, blackberry gall mite

Harvest and Consumption

Fruits

Leaves

Harvest location edible part: Elbow height, knee height
Harvesting period - start: Varies per cultivar, early june, mid june, end of june, early july, mid july, end of july, early august, mid august, end of august, early september, mid september, end of september, early october
Harvesting period - length: Several months, several weeks
Harvesting period - uniformity: Low
Suitable harvesting methods: Hand, mechanical
Vulnerability to damage during harvesting (edible parts): Resistant
Staying on plant after ripening (edible parts): Short
Form of consumption: Fresh, processed
Natural storability: Week
Suitable markets: Bulk, niche
Productive life span - start (year) - minimum: 2
Productive life span - peak (year) - minimum: 4
Productive life span - peak (year) - maximum: 8
Productive life span - end (year) - maximum: 15

Harvest location edible part: Elbow height, knee height

Culinary appreciation

High value.

References