The
blackberry is an edible fruit produced by many species in the genus
Rubus in the family
Rosaceae. Blackberries are typically produced from hybrid plants among the species within the subgenus
Rubus, or hybrids between the subgenera
Rubus and
Idaeobatus. Similar to the raspberry, it is not a
berry in the
botanical sense, being classified as an
aggregate fruit composed of small
drupelets. Blackberries are
perennial plants bearing
biennial stems from their roots. Unmanaged plants tend to aggregate in a dense tangle of stems and branches, which can be controlled in gardens or farms using
trellises. Blackberry shrubs can tolerate poor soils, spreading readily in wasteland, ditches, and roadsides. Blackberries grow wild throughout most of Europe. They are an important element in the ecology of many countries, and harvesting the berries is a common pastime. In some parts of the world, however, there are blackberry species that are considered to be an
invasive species. The fruit is also grown commercially, with Mexico being the leading producer, exporting for sale in off-season fresh markets in North America and Europe. This photograph, which was
focus-stacked from 23 separate images, depicts a blackberry of the species
Rubus fruticosus.
Photograph credit: Ivar Leidus
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