Habitat
Type: scrub, woods, open ground
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere
Other: patch forming

General
Growth type: cane shrub
Cycle: perennial
Height: 3 meters or more
Other: tangled, often reddish, variable

Leaf
Shape: pinnate
Texture: thorny midrib, hairy
Arrangement: 3-5 leaflets, alternate
Edge: toothed

Stem
Texture: thorny
Other: trailing canes, tips root on contact with ground

Flower
Diameter: 2-3 cm
Petals/sepals: 5
Arrangement: clusters near end
When: May to November
Other: faint rose scent
Colour:

Fruit
Shape: round segments
Colour: blue-black
Size: up to 2 cm
Other: called "Blackberry", juicy

Sharp thorns on stem and underside of leaf midrib.

Fruit can cause gastric upset if eaten in quantity. Canes can whip out when moved

April to July - best when buds
April and May
all year
July to October - best July to September

Flavour
Rating and Description:
like coconut, mildly spicy
bland
bland to sweet

How to Consume
buds: raw; older: tea; leaf curd
young: raw
cooked
early: raw; later: cooked

Special preparation
tea: 40-50g/litre, boil, infuse
only consume if the thorns are still soft - cooking may soften slightly firm, but not yet sharp thorns
long boil

Nutrition
antioxidants
Vitamin C, E, ellagic acid

Used as ...
food, beverage, flavouring
food

Action:
Unspecified part (see note [1] below), possibly
anti-inflammatory, astringent, depurative, diuretic, tonic, vulnerary, restorative on mucous membranes
anticancer

May treat:
Unspecified part (see note [1] below), possibly
candida, cough, hoarseness, digestive and urinary tract (cystitis), cuts and inflammation in the mouth
degenerative diseases

thorny canes for plaster lath
variable dye

Collection
buds: before leaves unfurl and thorns harden
mid-age
best picked early in season as last berries often rot on branch; fruit grows on 2nd year cane; see also note [2] below

Drying
dry (becomes more aromatic)

Note
[1] The information source was unclear as to which part had these properties but implied leaves and root.
[2] It is best to pick only berries at mid-level and to leave the upper ones for birds. Also, leave the lower ones for foxes, as blackberries are one of the staples in a fox's diet during fruiting season.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• pinnate: with series of leaflets on each side of a central stalk

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anticancer: used in the treatment of cancer
• anti-inflammatory: reduces inflammation of joints, injuries etc. (see also demulcent, emollient)
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• ellagic acid: an antioxidant which may be beneficial against cancer, heart disease and other medical problems
• tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
• vulnerary: promotes healing of wounds (applied externally)