One of the most common and classic edible plants of the NorthEast, the Eastern Blackberry is a thorny, arching native shrub with long flexible canes, soft green leaves, and white spring flowers that develop into deep purple-black berries in early summer. It grows in loose, spreading thickets and forms natural edges along forests, meadows, and open land. In winter it can be easily found by its blueish stems.
Eastern Black Raspberry functions as a perennial food and support species, producing reliable fruit while stabilizing soil and building living structure across the landscape. It spreads naturally by tip-rooting canes and root expansion, forming self-maintaining patches that require little input once established.
Eastern Black Raspberry (Rubus occidentalis)
•Pollinators: attracts native honey bees, bumblebees, and hover flies.
•Birds: Various native birds and small mammals feed on the berries and flowers including robins and catbirds.
•Mammals: Foxes, Raccons, Deer, and opossums also enjoy the berries.
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