Pacific Blackberry
Rubus ursinus
The Pacific Blackberry is a spreading, viney shrub with thorny branches, typically growing 2-5 ft high and over 6 ft wide; however, it can grow much, much larger, as the branches can take root when they touch soil. The long, thorny brambles have dark green leaves composed of three spiky, toothed leaflets, though sometimes there are five or one. The flowers are white (sometimes tinged with pink) with 5 narrow, rounded petals. The dark purple, black berries are up to two centimeters long.
Basic Information
Member of the Rosaceae (Rose) family
Shrub and vine
There are two subspecies and two varieties of this plant:
Rubus ursinus subsp. macropetalus — entire range
Rubus ursinus subsp. ursinus — California and Oregon
Rubus ursinus var. sirbenus — endemic to California
Rubus ursinus var. ursinus — California and Oregon
This species is one of the original parents of the hybrid plants the loganberry and boysenberry
Habitat
Native to western North America from British Columbia south to Baja California and east to Montana
Found in a number of habitats, including disturbed areas (roadsides, ditches), streams, and open meadows
Ecological Role
A wide spectrum of wildlife eat the berries
Songbirds, deer, bear, and other mammals
Notable value for native bees and bumblebees, which rely on the plant for pollination and nesting material
Larval food source of the western tiger swallowtail (Papilio rutulus), the mourning cloak (Nymphalis antiopa), the gray hairstreak (Strymon melinus), and the spring azure butterflies (Celastrina ladon)
Reproduction
Blooms from March to July
When the branches touch soil, they can take root, enabling the plant to spread to form large colonies
Alternative Names
California blackberry, California dewberry, Douglas berry, Pacific dewberry, trailing blackberry, blackberry
The Concow tribe calls this plant wân-kö-mil′-ē
Historical Uses
The berries were eaten by most tribes in the range
A decoction of the roots was taken for diarrhea, vomiting, and other stomach problems
Diegueno, Kwakuitl, Hesquiat, Kashaya Pomo, and other tribes
Leaves used to make tea
The Saanich used the stems in purification rituals before dances
