Bramble Biology Patrick Byers MU Extension Greene County University of Missouri 2015 NARBA Conference
Outline What is a bramble or caneberry? Raspberries and blackberries Origins of brambles Bramble growth habits Types of brambles, horticulturally speaking
What is a Bramble? Genus Rubus Family Rosaceae Lots of confusion in this genus How many species? Growth habits: shrubs, rigidly erect, arching, trailing
Rubus nepalensis Rubus niveus http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2012/02 /permaculture-plants-groundcover.html http://www.darwinfoundation.org/datazone/checklists/706/ Rubus pentalobus Rubus caseius http://tcpermaculture.blogspot.com/2012/02 /permaculture-plants-groundcover.html http://www.british-wild-flowers.co.uk/r-flowers/rubus%20caesius.htm
Raspberries and Blackberries Genus : Rubus 12 subgenera Subgenus: Ideobatus - raspberry Subgenus: Eubatus blackberry Hybrids between the groups
Family: Rosaceae Genus: Rubus Subgenus: Ideobatus (Raspberries) Subgenus: Eubatus (Blackberries) R. parvifolius and others R. idaeus red & yellow R. occidentalis black Erect types Eastern semi-erect types Southeastern trailing types R. neglectus purple Western trailing types Evergreen types
Raspberry fruit separates from torus Blackberry torus remains in fruit
Origins of Brambles Raspberry center of origin eastern Asia Blackberry centers of origin eastern North America and Europe Rubus species are found worldwide, with greater abundance in the northern hemisphere America native types of raspberry and blackberry important for horticulture Red raspberry R. idaeus Black raspberry R. occidentalis Blackberries R. ursinus, R. allegheniensis, others
Rubus idaeus Rubus occidentalis Native Rubus species Rubus ursinus Rubus allegheniensis Source: http://plants.usda.gov/
Bramble Growth Habits Perennial crowns and roots Biennial canes Primocanes First year growth Usually no blossoms or fruit Floricanes Second year growth Produce blossoms and fruit, then dies
Bramble Growth Habits Bearing habit Floricane bearing (summer bearing) First year vegetative growth of cane Second year flowering and fruiting followed by cane death Primocane bearing (everbearing) First year bear fruit in upper 1/3 to ½ of cane in late summer and fall Fruiting portion of the cane dies in fall/winter Second year Lower portion of cane produces flowers and fruit Entire cane dies after fruiting
Bramble Growth Habits Bramble floral and fruit structure Flower includes 60-160 ovaries Aggregate fruit composted of small drupelets www.biology-resources.com www.biology-resources.com
Bramble Growth Habits Prickles (or thorns) Much variability in bramble species http://identifythatplant.com/
Types of Brambles Raspberry Red and yellow raspberry Black raspberry Purple raspberry Blackberry Erect blackberry Semi-erect blackberry Trailing blackberry Raspberry x blackberry hybrids source: ww.ars.usda.gov
Red and Yellow Raspberries Thorny and thornless cultivars Floricane or primocane bearing habit Sucker from root system; form hedgerow Examples: Heritage, Prelude Caroline, Anne, Autumn Britten www.motherearthnews.com
Black Raspberries Thorny cultivars Floricane or primocane bearing habit Sucker from crown Examples: Bristol, Jewel, Mac Black, Niwot (P)
Purple Raspberries Thorny cultivars Floricane bearing habit Sucker from crown or from roots (varies) Examples: Royalty, Brandywine Source: www.sdedible.org
Erect Blackberries Thorny and thornless cultivars Floricane or primocane bearing habit Sucker from roots and form hedgerow Examples: Shawnee, Ouachita, PrimeArk Freedom (P)
Semi-Erect Blackberries Thornless cultivars Floricane bearing habit Sucker from original crown Examples: Chester, Triple Crown
Trailing Blackberries Thorny and thornless cultivars Floricane bearing habit Sucker from original crown Examples: Marion, Obsidian, Metolius, Black Diamond Source: www.ars.usda.gov
Blackberry x Raspberry Crosses Thorny and thornless cultivars Floricane fruiting habit Sucker from crown Example: Tayberry, Logan, Boysen, Wyeberry Source: www.chrisbowers.co.uk
Any Questions? Patrick Byers MU Extension Greene County University of Missouri Byerspl@missouri.edu 417-881-8909