BLACKBERRY: CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, PROPERTIES AND CULTIVATION - BIOLOGY - 2025

The z arzamora (Rubus ulmifolius) is a thorny shrub belonging to the Rosaceae family, native to the Mediterranean basin and southern Europe. Also known as blackberry, it is located in temperate and cold regions of the northern hemisphere, although it also adapts to tropical conditions.

It is a generally wild species characterized by its sarmentous stem with numerous curved spines, difficult to eradicate when it acts as an invasive species. The fruits made up of small berries grouped in clusters are commercially used for their pleasant aroma and slightly acid flavor.

Blackberry (Rubus ulmifolius). Source: pixabay.com

It grows in understory areas, intervened land and ravines, as well as in humid soils near streams or rural roads. In fact, it manages to become a shrub with dense spines, impenetrable to man, but an excellent refuge for fauna.

The blackberry fruit has a high content of water, sugars, vitamin C, minerals, fibers and various organic acids. Among them, citric, lactic, malic, salicylic, succinic and oxalic acid, which provide various medicinal properties such as astringent, antidiabetic, diuretic, hemostatic and dental.

Blackberries ripen during the summer and early fall, being a highly appreciated fruit to consume fresh or in jams. They are traditionally consumed fresh and are used to make jams, sweets, cakes, compotes, fruit salads, drinks and liquors.

General characteristics

Morphology

The blackberry is a sarmentous shrub or vine that grows in a climbing or pendulous way with numerous thorns along the stem. Indeed, the firm and back curved spines favor its grip on any natural growing medium.

Leaves

The compound and odd-pinnate leaves have 3 to 5 pointed and petiolate oval leaflets, with serrated edges and the midrib occasionally spiny on the underside. Intense green in color, darker on the upper surface and slightly tomentose on the underside.

flowers

The small white or pink pentameric flowers are grouped in clusters forming oval or pyramidal inflorescences. In fact, the separate petals are 10-15 cm long and the pale gray sepals are tomentose in appearance.

Blackberry flowers (Rubus ulmifolius). Source: pixabay.com

Fruit

The fruit known as blackberry or blackberry is a polydrupe or group of small drupes grouped in globose heads. When it matures it acquires a sweet and pleasant flavor, slightly acidic, with green tones at first, going through red to purple or black.

Seeds

A single leathery seed is found in each polydrupe. Generally, birds favor their dispersal, since they consume the seed that is not digested by their digestive system and is dispersed with their droppings.

Composition

The fruit of the blackberry is an excellent source of vitamins A (retinoic acid or retinol) and C (ascorbic acid). In addition, it contains flavonoids, anthocyanins and carotenoids that, together with its low carbohydrate content, makes it a powerful natural antioxidant.

The leaves have a high content of water-soluble gallotannins and dimeric ellagitannins; as well as flavonoids and the hydroquinone arbutin. Likewise, terpenic compounds, such as rubitic acid, and certain amounts of essential oil, lipids and gums.

Leaves and ripe fruits of blackberry. Source: pixabay.com

Taxonomy

- Kingdom: Plantae

- Division: Magnoliophyta

- Class: Magnoliopsida

- Order: Rosales

- Family: Rosaceae

- Subfamily: Rosoideae

- Tribe: Rubeae

- Genus: Rubus

- Subgenus: Rubus

- Section: Rubus

- Series: Discolores

- Species: Rubus ulmifolius Schott, in Oken, Isis, fasc. v. 821, 1818

Etymology

- Rubus: the generic name comes from the Latin «rŭbus, -i», for bush, «ruber» for the color of its fruits in general.

- ulmifolius: the specific adjective is related to the resemblance of its leaves to those of the elm (Ulmus minor).

Habitat and distribution

The blackberry is a fast growing species with a high invasive potential capable of colonizing slopes, degraded mountains and intervened areas. Indeed, the ability to generate adventitious roots in its branches favors vegetative reproduction, forming dense hedges in a short time.

In the wild, it grows and develops in humid areas, stream banks, embankments, crop boundaries, or on natural fences. Its development is dizzying when environmental conditions are favorable, being an invasive plant difficult to combat and eradicate.

The Rubus ulmifolius species is native to the Mediterranean area and much of Europe, including North Africa and the Middle East. Likewise, it has become feral in Australia and America, being considered an invasive pest in some countries of South America.

Blackberry plant. Source: Samornet

Properties

Medicinal

The blackberry contains various elements such as flavonoids, tannins, minerals, vitamins and organic acids that favor its therapeutic and medicinal properties. Indeed, practically all its parts are used from this plant, including stems, leaves and fruits.

The macerate of the tender stems is used as a hot compress to heal ulcers and sores on the skin. In fact, the compresses act as a disinfectant and healing of external wounds.

With the dried leaves an infusion of antiseptic, astringent and diuretic properties is prepared. In addition, this infusion is applied as an eye wash to alleviate conjunctivitis problems.

The blackberry contains vitamins and minerals that, due to their high content, are suitable for preventing and controlling anemia. On the other hand, the presence of flavonoids allows lowering cholesterol levels in the blood and preventing certain types of cancer.

The fruits contain high levels of tannins used in the symptomatic treatment of diarrhea due to its astringent effect. Likewise, it is recommended to relieve problems of the oral mucosa, tonsillitis and pharyngitis.

Industrial

The firm and strong bark of branches or stems is used as raw material for the elaboration of handmade ropes and baskets. From the stems, a pigment used to dye wool black is obtained and, in some cultures, the leaves are a substitute for tobacco.

Food

The blackberry is one of the main wild fruits used in confectionery for the production of jellies, jams and desserts, and even cakes and preserves. Likewise, from this fermented and distilled juice an alcohol used to make the traditional wine or blackberry liqueur is obtained.

Desserts with blackberry. Source: pixabay.com

Culture

Floors

The blackberry is a rustic crop, not very demanding in terms of soils since it adapts to a wide variety of terrains. However, due to its great capacity for acclimatization, it requires well-drained soils as it does not tolerate waterlogging.

Indeed, it grows well on soils with a clay-loam texture, with a high content of organic matter and a slightly acidic pH. In addition, the presence of mineral elements such as phosphorus and potassium is necessary to favor its vegetative development.

Weather

This crop adapts to cool and sunny environmental conditions, although it is not very tolerant of frost. The temperature must maintain an average of 20-25 ºC in the production phase, tolerating 16-25 ºC in the vegetative development phase.

There are cultivars adapted to low temperatures that require 700 hours of cold at 4-6 ºC to come out of rest and start production. Relative humidity should range between 70-90%, high humidity conditions influence the appearance of fungal diseases and fruit ripening.

The pluviometric requirements are located over 1000 mm of annual precipitation, with greater intensity in the growth phase. The blackberry adapts to a wide altitudinal range, obtaining the highest productive quality at 1200-2000 meters above sea level.

Irrigation

The blackberry is resistant to drought, however, its commercial production requires frequent watering without reaching waterlogging. Localized irrigation is the most recommended technique, short and frequent applications favor a higher yield and quality fruits.

Detail of the thorns of blackberry. Source: Denis Barthel

Spread

The blackberry is propagated through seeds - sexual propagation - or by vegetative structures - asexual propagation. Being the vegetative propagation through stakes or layers, the most used commercially.

- Propagation by seeds

Obtaining seedlings through seeds is a slow process that requires pregerminative treatment and special environmental conditions. In fact, this method is used experimentally under laboratory conditions to perform crosses and obtain hybrids or new varieties.

- Vegetative propagation

Layers

Layering is a vegetative propagation technique that consists of getting a stem or branch to root directly on the plant. Once the stem or branch portion has rooted it is separated from the mother plant as a new seedling.

Creeping layer

In blackberry, two layering techniques can be used: creeping layering using long stems; or tip, taking advantage of vigorous branches. For the creeping layering, flexible stems of 2-3 meters in length are selected, which will be fixed to the ground every 25-30 cm.

This method favors the formation of roots in the buried portions after 30-45 days. After this period, the union with the mother plant is cut, keeping the seedling in the initial conditions.

Later, after 20-30 days, the seedling is already firm and vigorous to be transplanted to the definitive ground. With this method, 3-5 strong and healthy seedlings are obtained per stem with the same productive characteristics of the mother plant.

Tip bend

For the point layering technique, a productive branch is selected that is arched and buried about 10 cm deep. Another modality consists in covering and holding the end of said branch with a fertile and disinfected substrate.

At 30-45 days, the branch buried or covered with substrate has started the development of adventitious roots. This being the opportune moment to separate from the original plant and obtain a new vigorous plant.

The only downside to this method is that you get only one plant per branch. Unlike creeping layering, which allows you to obtain up to 5 plants per branch.

Stakes

For propagation by cuttings, portions of stems or branches 30-35 cm long and 1-1.5 cm in diameter are selected. Trying to maintain 3-4 vegetative buds for each stake.

For successful rooting, the stake must be introduced into rooting hormones and the upper part covered with paraffin. In this way the dehydration of the stake and the attack of phytopathogens is avoided.

The sowing is done in polyethylene bags with a disinfected organic substrate, maintaining constant humidity and temperature. At 30-45 days the seedlings will be ready for transplantation to the sowing ground; With this method, a greater number of plants is obtained.

Blackberry fruiting plant. Source: Dick Culbert from Gibsons, BC, Canada

Driving

The establishment of a plantation requires the analysis of the soil to determine possible amendments and nutritional deficiencies of the new crop. For the cultivation of blackberry it is necessary to condition the land through subsoiling and plowing and, with this, improve the structure and drainage.

Likewise, the application of organic fertilizer is recommended during the preparation of the land and the establishment of ridges to facilitate agricultural management. The layout of the plantation is frequently made between 1.2-1.5 meters between plants and 2-3 meters between rows.

Sowing

The best time for sowing is in late autumn or early winter, trying to keep the soil moist in the establishment phase. The seedlings are deposited in holes 40 cm deep by 40 cm in diameter.

Trained

Due to the creeping growth of the blackberry, staking or fixing and guiding the crop through cuttings is required. Indeed, in this way the handling and aeration of the crop is facilitated.

The trellis techniques include the single in-line trellis, the double in-line or -T- trellis and the double -T- trellis. As well as the box or box trellis used to support a single plant.

Pruning

Due to the tangled growth of the blackberry crop, pruning for formation, maintenance, fruiting and renewal are essential tasks. Formation pruning is done in the growth phase, keeping only 6-10 branches per plant and discarding twisted or broken branches.

Fruiting pruning is done after each harvest in order to stimulate new lateral shoots and productive branches. The process consists of eliminating the recently harvested branches and those vegetative branches that present a vertiginous growth.

The renewal pruning is carried out approximately 8-10 years of the plant's life. It consists of carrying out a severe pruning in order to restore the vigor and productivity of the plant.

Fertilization

Any application of fertilizer must be supported by a soil test or foliar analysis of the crop. The application of nitrogen is necessary during the development of the crop in order to favor the growth of stems and leaf area.

Phosphorus contributes to the establishment of a firm root system, the production and ripening of fruits. Potassium favors the quality of the fruit, and the microelements provide a solution to specific damage, such as foliage wilting or growth problems.

The application of fertilizer should be done after harvest, at the beginning of flowering and fruiting, and before the fruit set. The contribution of micronutrients has a better use through foliar applications.

Detail of blackberry flowers. Source: pixabay.com

Diseases

Anthracnose (

The main symptoms are the presence of small brown spots on the stems and circular spots with a purplish ring on the leaves. Preventive control through cultural work is the most effective way to avoid the incidence of this disease.

Fruit rot (

The damage is manifested at the level of the ripe fruit causing softening and rotting, as well as the presence of mycelium on stems and leaves. Control with systemic fungicides and the application of tasks, such as pruning and aeration, is the most effective way to control the pathogen.

Verticillium (

Phytopathogenic fungus that affects the roots and stems causing dark spots that affect the vascular system, promoting wilting and necrosis of the tissues. In preventive control it is carried out by facilitating the drainage of the crop. In case of severe attacks, it is advisable to remove the infected material.

References

1. Ávila Fonseca, F. (2015) The Cultivation of the Blackberry. "Antonio Narro" Agrarian Autonomous University. Agronomy Division. (Thesis). 49 pp.
2. Blasco-Zumeta, J. (2015) Flora of Pina de Ebroy its Region. Rosaceae family.
3. Blackberry cultivation (2019) Agromatica. Recovered in: agromatica.es
4. The cultivation of Blackberry (2018) Infoagro. Recovered at: infoagro.com
5. The blackberry (2019) Blackberrypedia. Recovered in: zarzamorapedia.com
6. Moreno, GAL, Espinosa, N., Barrero, LS, & Medina, CI (2016). Morphological variability of native blackberry varieties (Rubus sp.) In the Andes of Colombia. Colombian Journal of Horticultural Sciences, 10 (2), 211-221.
7. Rubus ulmifolius. (2019). Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Recovered at: es.wikipedia.org
8. Tzouwara-Karayanni, SM, & Philianos, SM (1981). Chemical constituents of Rubus ulmifolius Schott. Quarterly Journal of Crude Drug Research, 19 (2-3), 127-130.