Plant Details

Rubus occidentalis

Black Raspberry

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Common names

27 names · 22 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Black Raspberry[1]
  • Thimbleberry[1]
Other languages (21)
Dutch
  • Zwarte Framboos[1]
French
  • Framboise noire
  • Framboisier de Virginie[1]
  • framboisier noir[1]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
  • Ronce occidentale[1]
Chinese (Simplified)
  • 喜阴悬钩子[1]
Chinese (Traditional)
  • 喜陰懸鉤子[1]
Czech
  • ostružiník ojíněný[1]
Danish
  • sort hindbær[1]
Estonian
  • läänevaarikas[1]
Finnish
  • mustavadelma[1]
German
  • Schwarze Himbeere[1]
Japanese
  • クロミキイチゴ[1]
Miami
  • neepaleeteemina[1]
Ojibwe
  • Odatagago minagawunj[1]
Polish
  • Malina czarna[1]
  • Malina zachodnia[1]
Portuguese
  • Framboesa-preta[1]
Russian
  • Малина западная[1]
Seneca
  • Otö́da’kdö’[1]
Slovak
  • ostružina západná[1]
Spanish
  • frambuesa negra[1]
Swedish
  • svarthallon[1]
Turkish
  • Kara Ahududu[1]
Ukrainian
  • Малина західна[1]
Sources & name notes (1)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Rubus occidentalis — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • black raspberry — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • frambuesa negra — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Framboesa-preta — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • ostružiník ojíněný — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • läänevaarikas — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Малина западная — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Schwarze Himbeere — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • framboisier noir — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Otö́da’kdö’ — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • 喜陰懸鉤子 — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • 喜阴悬钩子 — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • クロミキイチゴ — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Odatagago minagawunj — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • neepaleeteemina — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • svarthallon — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Малина західна — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • sort hindbær — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Thimbleberry — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Framboisier de Virginie — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Ronce occidentale — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Zwarte framboos — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Malina czarna — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Malina zachodnia — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • mustavadelma — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • ostružina západná — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.
  • Kara Ahududu — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 125489; Rubus occidentalis.

General information

Scientific name: Rubus occidentalis
Accepted name (Kew): Rubus occidentalis L. View name reference ↗

Accepted in the cited Kew taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Botanical family: Rosaceae

Kew's family placement for the genus Rubus (WCVP v16).

Sources [1]
Also known as: Black Raspberry
Images: Google Images

Plant characteristics

Layer: Shrub
Catalogue size class: Small
Height: 0.91–1.83 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Spread: 1.22–2.44 m

NC State landscape size range; converted from feet and inches. Size varies with site, age and management.

Sources [2]
Growth rate: Fast
Sources [2]
Foliage: Deciduous
Sources [2]
Growth habit: Arching, Erect

Whole-plant habit and form as described by NC State.

Sources [2]
Life cycle: Perennial
Sources [2]

Growing conditions

USDA hardiness: 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b

USDA zones listed by NC State; winter survival does not establish reliable cropping.

Sources [2]
Soil moisture:
Moist, Occasionally Dry

Moisture and drainage conditions listed by NC State.

Sources [2]
Soil:
High Organic Matter
Sources [2]
pH:
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Light:
Full sun, Partial Shade
Sources [2]

Uses

Edible parts:
Fruit, medicinaal, Stem, Tea
Edibility rating:
(4)
Medicinal rating:
(2)
Functions:
Dye

Description

The fruit of this plant can be eaten both raw and cooked and is suitable for making pies and jam due to its varying quality. The best specimens have a rich, sour taste and have a diameter of about 15 mm. The young shoots of this plant can also be eaten raw or cooked, similar to rhubarb. They are harvested in the spring and need to be peeled. Furthermore, tea can be made from the leaves and the bark of the root of this plant.

Harvest

Harvest starts: 15/07
Harvest ends: 15/09

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
    Supports: Botanical familyTaxonomy
    Relevant sections
    • Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 372272; name ID 2976315; Rubus L.. Family column.
    • Taxonomy: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 349414; name ID 2984756; Rubus occidentalis L..

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.

  2. NC State Extension, North Carolina State University Rubus occidentalis — Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
    Supports: HeightSpreadGrowth rateFoliageGrowth habitLife cycleLightSoil moistureSoil textureUSDA hardiness
    Relevant sections
    • Height: Dimensions > Height; Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
    • Spread: Dimensions > Width; Width: 4 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Growth habit: Habit/Form
    • Life cycle: Life Cycle
    • Light: Light
    • Soil moisture: Soil Drainage
    • Soil texture: Soil Texture
    • USDA hardiness: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone

    Source checked on .