Rubus occidentalisIndiana NativeIndiana Native
Black Raspberry

 Plant Type:
 Growth Forms:
 Hardiness:
 Deciduous / Evergreen:
 Flower Notes:
White
 Foliage Notes:
Green (compound, alternate, cordate/ovate, toothed margins)
 Stem Notes:
Green to Brown (glaucous, turning woody and brown in the winter)
 Fruit Notes:
Black (drupe)
 Ultimate Height:
2-4 feet
 Ultimate Spread:
8-10 feet
 Bloom Times:
 Fruiting Times:
 Light Requirements:
 Soil Water Requirements:
 Soil Notes:
Prefers moist, highly organic soil. Slightly acidic and well drained.
 Range:
Eastern US, south to Alabama
 Maintenance:
 Diagnostic Characteristics:
Leaves are compound (3 leaflets), white-hairy underside, with toothed edges. Thorns are present on stems and branches. Fruits are fleshy, pinkish-red immature turning a deep purplish black upon maturity.
  Special Characteristics:

Additional Information

This thorny shrub is an Indiana native found along woodland edges. Although its natural habit is spreading, the Black Raspberry can be cut back to the ground to allow control of the spread and rejuvenation. The fruits of the Black Raspberry are sweet yet a bit tart, becoming a commercial commodity in parts of the United States. Best use in the landscape would be property boarders and erosion control. Best growth in part shade and not full sunlight.

When Rubus occidentalis has been observed flowering or fruiting at Purdue University

Flowering

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Week 1 flowering not presentWeek 2 flowering not presentWeek 3 flowering not presentWeek 4 flowering not presentWeek 5 flowering not presentWeek 6 flowering not presentWeek 7 flowering not presentWeek 8 flowering not presentWeek 9 flowering not presentWeek 10 flowering not presentWeek 11 flowering not presentWeek 12 flowering not presentWeek 13 flowering not presentWeek 14 flowering not presentWeek 15 flowering not presentWeek 16 flowering not presentWeek 17 flowering not presentWeek 18 flowering not presentWeek 19 flowering not presentWeek 20 flowering not presentWeek 21 flowering not presentWeek 22 flowering presentWeek 23 flowering presentWeek 24 flowering presentWeek 25 flowering not presentWeek 26 flowering not presentWeek 27 flowering not presentWeek 28 flowering not presentWeek 29 flowering not presentWeek 30 flowering not presentWeek 31 flowering not presentWeek 32 flowering not presentWeek 33 flowering not presentWeek 34 flowering not presentWeek 35 flowering not presentWeek 36 flowering not presentWeek 37 flowering not presentWeek 38 flowering not presentWeek 39 flowering not presentWeek 40 flowering not presentWeek 41 flowering not presentWeek 42 flowering not presentWeek 43 flowering not presentWeek 44 flowering not presentWeek 45 flowering not presentWeek 46 flowering not presentWeek 47 flowering not presentWeek 48 flowering not presentWeek 49 flowering not presentWeek 50 flowering not presentWeek 51 flowering not presentWeek 52 flowering not present

Fruiting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
Week 1 fruiting not presentWeek 2 fruiting not presentWeek 3 fruiting not presentWeek 4 fruiting not presentWeek 5 fruiting not presentWeek 6 fruiting not presentWeek 7 fruiting not presentWeek 8 fruiting not presentWeek 9 fruiting not presentWeek 10 fruiting not presentWeek 11 fruiting not presentWeek 12 fruiting not presentWeek 13 fruiting not presentWeek 14 fruiting not presentWeek 15 fruiting not presentWeek 16 fruiting not presentWeek 17 fruiting not presentWeek 18 fruiting not presentWeek 19 fruiting not presentWeek 20 fruiting not presentWeek 21 fruiting not presentWeek 22 fruiting not presentWeek 23 fruiting not presentWeek 24 fruiting not presentWeek 25 fruiting presentWeek 26 fruiting presentWeek 27 fruiting presentWeek 28 fruiting presentWeek 29 fruiting presentWeek 30 fruiting presentWeek 31 fruiting not presentWeek 32 fruiting not presentWeek 33 fruiting not presentWeek 34 fruiting not presentWeek 35 fruiting not presentWeek 36 fruiting not presentWeek 37 fruiting not presentWeek 38 fruiting not presentWeek 39 fruiting not presentWeek 40 fruiting not presentWeek 41 fruiting not presentWeek 42 fruiting not presentWeek 43 fruiting not presentWeek 44 fruiting not presentWeek 45 fruiting not presentWeek 46 fruiting not presentWeek 47 fruiting not presentWeek 48 fruiting not presentWeek 49 fruiting not presentWeek 50 fruiting not presentWeek 51 fruiting not presentWeek 52 fruiting not present

The Purdue Arboretum is a collaboration between the Department of Horticulture and Landscape Architecture and Physical Facilities Grounds Department

Purdue Arboretum, 625 Agriculture Mall Dr, West Lafayette, IN, 47907
© 2026 Purdue UniversityAn equal access/equal opportunity universityCopyright ComplaintsMaintained by Purdue Arboretum Explorer
Contact Purdue Arboretum at arboretum@purdue.edu for accessibility issues with this page | Accessibility Resources | Contact Us