Young plant with light brown woody cane and sparse, short thorns, making it distinct from Blackberry. Juvenile leaves contain the antioxydant anthocyanins to protect them from UV rays.

The underside of the mature leaves is distinctly paler. Single or small clusters of raspberries develop at the end of stems or branchlets from July to September on second-year canes which branch out in their second year. First year canes are usually branchless. Occasionally fruit may develop on first year canes late in the season.