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Plant Identification Learning Module:
Fruits & Nuts

Blackberry (Rubus spp.)

Blackberry is a multiple fruit composed of 20-50 small fruitlets (drupes) attached to a central core which remains in the fruit when picked, unlike raspberry, where the core is hollow. The fruit are dark red to black at maturity and thimble-shaped. The plant is either a vine or shrub with trailing or arching stems (canes) which are nearly always thorny. Leaves are alternate, trifoliate or pinnately compound with 3, 5, 7 or 9 deeply serrate or toothed leaflets. Blackberries are grown throughout Florida and wild blackberries are common in the state.