Plants in the Rubus genus: Rubus has several species of berried fruits, at least 13 of which grow in the Chicago area. I will not attempt pedantically to differentiate them. I believe the above to be either a flowering purple raspberry or a black raspberry (most likely the former). For a key to the various Rubus species, see Swink & Wilhelm, pp. 674+. As for blackberries, Pepoon (1927) claims that "Probably nine-tenths of all our blackberries are of (the species R. allegheniensis)," so I will assume most blackberries I will encounter to be R. allegheniensis.
Color Variations: Red, black, and purple raspberries, blackberries, dewberries, thimbleberries, and wineberries all are grouped under this genus. The difference between all these berries is beyond me.
Commentary: Many country boys have enjoyed the late June berries from these otherwise annoying plants. One species of berries grows in bunches on thorny plants with canes of three leaves. The plants spread by growing in arches, several from a base. The stalks then root at the tip which touches the ground. After several years, a cluster blooms and later develops berries, but I have never seen it happen. I have personally tried my best to eradicate this plant from the area near a lawn I mow because it never provides me berries and gives me a rash after my skin brushes against it.
The berry shown above grows as more of a shrub which is not so pernicious as the kind described in the paragraph above.
The leaves are in clusters of three, with two leaves branching off about 1/2" below the main leaf. All are jagged and with a light pubescence like peach fuzz on the back. The thorns begin even in the 1/2" inch between the lower two leaves and the main leaf.
I am also unable to supply photos of a berry itself since they have not formed yet. (The picture above was taken 5 days before this copy was written.) However, I am able to say that it appears we are in for a bumper crop this year judging from the number of buds, possibly because of the Southern Oscillation being in the El Nino phase and the accompanying warm weather.
The berries begin green, turn a red color like raspberries (but are still very sour, not edible, and difficult to remove from the plant), then turn a deep purple (since no plant is really pure black), at which time they are sweet and edible, though they should only be consumed under careful supervision. If you aren't sure if you have edible berries, consult an expert. I don't recommend trying my technique of eating one and determining its safety by how well you feel the next morning.
Precautions and Uses: As discussed above. Uses include not only as a fruit, bird food, jelly flavor, pie filler, fruit salads, etc., but also in herbal teas and the traditional use of easing women's labor pains.
Soil Preferences: 5.0-6.5
References: Wampler & Wampler 43, Swink & Wilhelm 647+.
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