California blackberry
Rubus ursinus
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
An evergreen shrub. It can be upright or lie along the ground. It can be a climber. It grows 50-90 cm high and spreads 0.9-3 m wide. The leaves have 3-5 leaflets. The are hairy above and like felt and white underneath. The male and female flowers are on separate plants. The flowers are white. The fruit is black and hairy.
There are about 250 Rubus species.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 7-9. In Hobart Botanical gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Australia, Canada, Mexico, North America (country/location of origin), Tasmania, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit are eaten raw. they are also dried or made into pies, sauces, jellies and cakes. The half ripe berries are soaked in water to make a drink. The fresh or dried leaves are used for tea. The young shoots are boiled and eaten.
Edible parts
Fruit, shoots, leaves - tea
How it is grown
Plants are grown by seeds.
Its other names
Local names
California dewberry, Douglas-berry, Pacific blackberry, Pacific dewberry, Youngberry, Western blackberry, White flowering raspberry, Zarzamora