Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis
native
Other Name:
Thimbleberry
Black Raspberry is a native perennial plant found in most of Virginia. Many species of birds feed on the berries. The nectar of the flowers attracts numerous types of bees, small butterflies, skippers, and a host of other insects. The caterpillars of various moths suck the sap or chew on the foliage, and some moths and wood-boring beetles can damage the roots. Black Raspberry is in the rose family and the same genus as blackberries and the Red Raspberry. The Black Raspberry does not taste like either. It contains a lot of pigments called anthocyanins, which makes it very useful as a dye. Black Raspberry yields are low per acre, which makes the fruit expensive to produce. It is used to flavor various juices and liqueurs.
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