# Blackberry Bush (*Neoseiulus akimovi*)

Blackberry Bush is a prickly plant that produces sweet blackberries! It's fun to pick the berries in summer.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 1/5 · Very low
- **Habitat:** Blackberry bushes grow in sunny areas, often found in gardens and along trails.
- **Also known as:** Armenian Blackberry, Blackberry, Himalayan Blackberry, Rubus, Thornberry, Thorny Blackberry, Wild Blackberry, trailing blackberry

![Blackberry Bush](https://res.cloudinary.com/drieglelr/image/upload/v1771424439/objects/5043.jpg)

## Appearance

The Blackberry Bush is a thorny perennial shrub with arching, often reddish-brown stems covered in sharp prickles. Its dark green leaves are typically compound, and its white to pale pink flowers develop into clusters of shiny, purplish-black fruit.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida

## Interesting facts

- Blackberry bushes are often 'pioneer plants,' meaning they are among the first to grow in disturbed areas!
- Did you know blackberries are not true berries, but rather 'aggregate fruits' made of many tiny drupelets?
- Some blackberry varieties can produce fruit for over 30 years from the same plant, making them super long-lived!
- The juice from blackberries was once used as a natural dye for clothing because of its deep purple color!

## Special abilities

- **Thorny Armor:** Blackberry Bush has sharp thorns that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves and berries.
- **Root Spreader:** Blackberry Bush can send out new shoots from its roots, allowing it to quickly spread and claim more territory.
- **Arching Anchors:** Blackberry Bush can root new plants where its arching stems touch the ground, helping it spread and reproduce effectively.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 100-300 cm
- **Spread:** 150-500 cm
- **Flower Size:** 1-3 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late Spring to Early Summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** Honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — collects nectar and pollen from flowers
- **Eaten by:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — disperses seeds after eating berries
- **Eaten by:** American Black Bear (*Ursus americanus*) — eats large quantities of ripe berries
- **Eaten by:** [Roe Deer](https://www.snappit.app/explore/roe-deer) (*Capreolus capreolus*) — browses on young leaves and shoots

## Traits

- [Deciduous](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/deciduous): Deciduous plants periodically shed all their leaves, typically during autumn or dry seasons.
- [Shrub](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/shrub): A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.
- [Spring Blooming](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/spring-blooming): Spring blooming plants produce their flowers during the spring season, often signifying the end of winter and the start of new growth.
- [Fruit Bearing](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/fruit-bearing): Fruit-bearing plants produce fruits, which are the mature ovaries of flowering plants containing seeds.
- [Thorny Stem](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/thorny-stem): Pertaining to plants that have stems covered with sharp, pointed projections for defense.
- [Edible](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/edible): Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.
- [Forest](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/forest): Forest habitats are terrestrial environments dominated by dense tree cover, supporting a high diversity of plant and animal life.

## Collections

- [Grasses](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses)
- [Grasses, Shrubs & Bushes](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/grasses-shrubs-and-bushes)

## Safety

**Danger:** 1/5 · Very low

Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Blackberry Bush?

Compare how the fruit is clustered, the leaves and their arrangement, the stems and any thorns. Red, blue and black fruits grow on lots of unrelated plants, and the same color can show up on both edible and poisonous species. Berry Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Blackberry Bush?

100-300 cm

### How wide does Blackberry Bush spread?

150-500 cm

### How big are the flowers on Blackberry Bush?

1-3 cm

### When does Blackberry Bush bloom?

Late Spring to Early Summer

### Is Blackberry Bush edible?

Yes

### Is Blackberry Bush toxic?

None

### What is Blackberry Bush's lifecycle?

Perennial

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Blackberry Bush: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/blackberry-bush)