Blackberry
Rubus spp. 
Blackberry is widespread in Missouri and is found in open woods, glades and old fields. It provides food and cover for many wildlife species. Deer eat the fruit and browse tender canes. Much of the summer diet of turkeys is composed of the fruit.
Identifying Characteristics
- Height
- 5 ft
- Spread
- 8 ft
- Leaves
- alternate, compound, with 3-5 leaflets; leaflets 2 l/2" - 4" long, egg-shaped, edges coarsely toothed; medium green above, paler below
- Flowers
- white, showy, about 1" in diameter
- Fruit
- black clusters when ripe
- Bark
- canes with thorns; green turning brown to red with age
- Associated species
- gray dogwood, Viburnum, sumac
- Ideal site conditions
- average soil, shade
- Value to man
- food
- Value to wildlife
- food, cover
- Growth Rate
- fast
- Range
