Blackberries and the Rosaceae Family
Blackberries belong to the genus Rubus, which is part of the extensive rose family, Rosaceae. This family includes not only roses but also many other economically significant fruit crops like apples, pears, and strawberries. The Rubus genus, also known as brambles or cane berries, is known for its typically prickly, woody-stemmed bushes that produce aggregate fruits. While over 1,350 species exist within this genus, a few stand out as the most prominent relatives of the blackberry.
The Closest Relatives: Raspberries and Dewberries
Raspberries: Perhaps the most well-known cousin, raspberries are also in the Rubus genus. A key botanical difference, however, lies in how the fruit detaches from the plant. When a raspberry is picked, it leaves its central core, or torus, behind on the plant, resulting in a hollow fruit. The blackberry's torus remains attached to the fruit, leaving it with a solid, fleshy core. Species such as the common red raspberry (Rubus idaeus) and black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis) are close relations.
Dewberries: Often mistaken for wild blackberries, dewberries are another member of the Rubus genus. These fruits tend to grow on trailing, low-lying vines rather than the more upright canes of many blackberry varieties. A common species is the European dewberry (Rubus caesius), and their taste can be very similar to blackberries.
Notable Blackberry Hybrid Fruits
Plant breeders and even accidental cross-pollination have led to the creation of several popular hybrid berries that have blackberry ancestry. These cultivated varieties offer a range of unique flavors and growth habits.
- Boysenberry: A cross involving the European raspberry, European blackberry, American dewberry, and loganberry. This complex hybrid results in a large, dark purple fruit with a sweet taste.
- Loganberry: Discovered accidentally by Californian judge and horticulturist James Harvey Logan in the 1880s, the loganberry is a cross between a North American blackberry and a European red raspberry. It is known for its reddish color and a flavor profile that combines both parents.
- Marionberry: This is a specific cultivar of blackberry, but its lineage is multi-generational. It was selected from a cross between an 'Olallie' berry and a 'Chehalem' blackberry. The 'Olallie' itself is a hybrid of a loganberry and a youngberry. Marionberries are renowned for their sweet, rich flavor.
- Tayberry: Another raspberry and blackberry hybrid, this one was developed in Scotland. It produces large, reddish-purple fruits with a tart-sweet flavor.
A Comparison of Popular Rubus Fruits
| Feature | Blackberry | Red Raspberry | Boysenberry | Loganberry |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Genus | Rubus | Rubus | Rubus | Rubus |
| Core/Receptacle | Stays with fruit | Stays on plant, leaving hollow core | Stays with fruit | Stays with fruit |
| Typical Color | Dark purple to black | Red, though some varieties are black or yellow | Deep purplish-red | Deep reddish-purple |
| Flavor Profile | Sweet to tart, can vary by species | Sweet, tart, and floral notes | Rich, sweet, and slightly tangy | Sweet and tart combination |
| Plant Growth | Erect, semi-erect, or trailing canes | Erect canes that live two years | Trailing canes, often thornless varieties available | Vigorous trailing canes |
| Origins | Widespread across temperate regions | Eastern Asia evolution | Complex hybrid involving multiple species | Accidental hybrid (US) |
The Wider Rosaceae Family
The connection between blackberries and other fruits extends beyond the Rubus genus. The larger Rosaceae family provides a framework for understanding many of our most common and beloved fruits, showing a shared evolutionary history. The Rosaceae is divided into subfamilies, with blackberries residing in the Rosoideae subfamily alongside strawberries, while fruits like apples, pears, and plums are in the Amygdaloideae subfamily. This broad relationship highlights a common ancestry even among fruits that look and taste quite different.
Other Related Plants
- Strawberries: Also part of the Rosoideae subfamily, strawberries share a closer relationship with blackberries than many people realize. Although they don't grow on thorny canes, their genetic heritage is linked through the shared rose family.
- Stone Fruits: Cherries, peaches, plums, and almonds are in the same family, Rosaceae, though they are classified in a different subfamily called Amygdaloideae. Their fruit structure is a drupe, which is a single, fleshy fruit with a hardened pit, a contrast to the aggregate drupelets of blackberries.
- Pome Fruits: Fruits like apples, pears, and quinces, with their fleshy fruit that develops from the receptacle of the flower, also share the Rosaceae family lineage. This demonstrates the incredible diversity within this single plant family.
Conclusion
The seemingly simple blackberry, known as a bramble fruit, is part of a complex and fascinating botanical family. Its closest relatives are other members of the Rubus genus, including raspberries and dewberries, with which it can be cross-bred to create unique hybrid berries. The family ties extend much further, connecting it to stone fruits, pome fruits, and even strawberries through the overarching Rosaceae family. This rich botanical network reveals a shared ancestry among many of our favorite edible fruits.
Outbound Link
For more in-depth information on the scientific classifications and breeding programs of these berries, visit the North American Raspberry & Blackberry Association (NARBA).
