Blackberry

By Author: Judi Singleton
Total Articles: 28
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BLACKBERRY
aka Bly, Brombere (Ger), Bramble, Brambleberry, Bramble-kite, Brameberry, Brombeere, Brummel, Brymbyl, Bumble-kite,
Cloudberry, Dewberry, Fingerberry, Goutberry, Piao (Chin), Scaldhead, Thimbleberry
Rosaceae
Rubus villosus (Amer) and Rubus fruticosus (Eur)
Image

Blackberries (notably R. fruticosus) are subject to legal control as a weed in parts of Australia and in some other countries.

CONTAINS:
Leaves and roots contain tannins (tannic acid from root can be obtained by boiling water or dilute alcohol), and flavonoids. Root also contains villosin.
Fruits contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, malic and isocitric acids, monoglycoside of cyanidin, sugars, albumin, and pectin.

Culpeper: It is a plant of Venus in Aries...If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly? Tell them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars.

This member of the rose family is part of a large genus worldwide consisting of raspberries, dewberries, thimbleberries, etc. Most are used in a similar manner. Blackberries have provided food for man since ancient times which is attested ...
... to by fossil evidence. Flowers and fruit can often be seen on the same plant at the same time.
Trailing, perennial plants found in dry or sandy soil. Canes heavily studded with stout, recurved prickles; leaves ovate, double serrate, pinnate with 3 to 5 leaflets; flowers white with 5 petals. R. fruticosus has a relaxed calyx.
Was mentioned by Aeschylus (ca.525-456 BC) and Hippocrates (ca.460-357 BC).
At one time, it not only had a reputation as a medicinal, but also as a charm against various illnesses.
The dried bark was official in the USP from 1820 to 1916 and in the NF from 1916 to 1936 as an astringent tonic. Berries were official in the NF from 1916 to 1926 as a flavoring agent in syrups.
PROPAGATION: Spreads easily enough on its own, but can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, leaf bud cuttings in late summer, hardwood cuttings in winter, division in early spring or autumn; root cuttings 1/2 inch long are taken in autumn and stored in sand over winter at about 50ºF, then in early spring the cuttings are set vertically into the soil and covered with 3 to 4 inches of soil (or the branches can be layered in late summer when the cane tips are slightly thickened and grow without leaves). R. fruticosus can be tip layered in summer and can also be trained against a wall.
NEEDS: Moist, well-drained soil in sun to part shade. The roots are long-lived, throwing up canes the first year which do not yield fruit until the second year. Once they have given up their fruit, they are done and should be removed. In spring, prune lightly. Susceptible to aphids, crown gall, cane blight, Botrytis and viral diseases.
HARVEST: Leaves are taken either before plant flowers or during flowering, then dried; roots are lifted in summer and dried (root bark is taken at the same time); berries are taken when ripe and used fresh or dried; young shoots are also harvested for some uses in spring..
SOLVENT: Water, alcohol
FLOWERS: June to September
RELATED SPECIES:
CREEPING BLACKBERRY (R. procumbens): Was used by Native Americans for diarrhea and dysentary.
THORNLESS (or Low) BLACKBERRY (R. canadensis): Fruit was eaten by the Iroquois and Kansas Indians.
PURPLE-FLOWERING RASPBERRY (R. odoratus): Was being investigated in 1977 as a possible cancer therapeutic agent.
R. ALLEGHANIENSIS (syn. R. villosus var montanus): Prickles straight, not hooked, and with a range from eastern Canada south to Missouri, Tennessee, and North Carolina, found in thickets and clearings. The Menominees and Prairie Potawatomis used an infusion of the root as an eyewash for sore eyes; also as a poultice. The Meskwaki boiled the root and used the decoction as an antidote to poison.
About the Author About the Author: Judi Singleton publishes Jassmine's Journal, one ezine, nine lists, target your advertising, subscribe today
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