Rubus aka Blackberry

Rubus is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants in the rose family, Rosaceae, consisting of over 1,350 species. Common members of the genus include raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries, which are widely distributed. Bristleberries, on the other hand, are native to North America. These plants typically have woody stems with prickles, spines, bristles, or gland-tipped hairs. Additionally, the term "cane fruit" or "cane berry" refers to any Rubus species or hybrid grown with support, such as wires or canes. This includes raspberries, blackberries, and hybrids like loganberry, boysenberry, marionberry, and tayberry. The stems of these plants are also known as canes. One specific variety of Rubus is the tall-growing thornless hybrid raspberry with purple fruit. This variety has deciduous green leaves and small white flowers that appear early in the summer, resulting in a harvest during midsummer. Another variety, called 'Marion,' is a trailing deciduous shrub with long, sparse, spiny, and lax canes. It produces pinnate, wrinkled, mid-green leaves and white flowers in spring. These flowers are followed by globular to conical, glossy, edible, sweet, dark red to black fruit that is ready for harvest in early to midsummer. The marionberry is known for its vigorous growth, with trailing vines that can reach up to 20 feet long. The vines are covered in large spines, and the fruiting laterals are long and sturdy, resulting in abundant berries. The marionberry itself is glossy and appears black on the plant but turns a deep, dark purple when frozen and thawed. It is medium-sized and conical, longer than it is wide. The berry has a somewhat tart flavor with earthy undertones and hints of sweetness. It is larger, sweeter, and juicier compared to the 'Evergreen' blackberry. Due to its complex flavor profile, it has earned the nickname "Cabernet of Blackberries" and currently dominates blackberry production.