Rubus Fruticosus, (Bramble). Commonly known as Blackberry bush.
Family: Rosaceae.
Height: up to 4m. (can spread for up to 6m)
A dense, perennial bush growing widespread, throughout Britain, Ireland and most of Europe.
The Bramble produces biennial stems (known as canes) which can grow to and over 6m to 9m in length. It is these canes that produce the flowers to bear the fruits, of the plant. The canes have many very sharp, flat shaped thorns, these thorns and stems soon become woody. The leaf stalks and outer edges of the leaf also have small prickles that are very sharp.
Flowers appear in late spring to early summer, the flowers are usually white, or light pinkish in colour, 2 to 3cm in diameter. They are a valuable early source of nectar for many flying insects, especially bees and hoverflies.
Within the flower head, drupelets develop around the ovules, these are fertilised by the male gamete, from a pollen grain. To be able to produce the fruits, they mainly rely on bees for pollination
Weather conditions, causing extreme temperature fluctuations, or intensive wet conditions can significantly affect a bee’s chances to be able to visit the flower heads. The fruits known as “blackberries” first become green in colour, changing to red from orange and eventually become black when ripe.
The fruits are a valuable source of food for many fruit eating animals and birds. Many insects will feed from the juices of damaged fruits, some flies will lay their eggs onto the over-ripe fruits, for their larva to feed from.
Brambles are found growing vigorously in many places, including, woodlands, woodland edges, scrub land, hillsides, ditches, waste ground and hedgerows.
When left unmanaged, the mature plants form many arching stems, when reaching the surrounding ground, they will easily take root from the node tip. Overtime, the Bramble will start to dominate over most other wild plants as it can tolerate most poor soil conditions, in sun or shady places. It can become a “habitat shelter” for many types of insects and small wild animals. Many species of moths feed on the leaves and birds will take advantage of the dense protective canes, to build their nests; hedgehogs will also take advantage of the cover and fallen debris of rotting leaves to provide protection for hibernation. Also, the Comma and Brimstone butterflies, will take cover to hibernate throughout the winter months within the Bramble.
Blackberries have been eaten by humans for thousands of years and the leaves have been used for medicine purposes,(especially for mouth ailments like bleeding gums and sores in the mouth, soothed if not healed by chewing the leaves) the fruits contain a high content of vitamin C.