Blackberry, raspberry, or dewberry – edible wild plant – how to find, identify, prepare, and other uses for survival.

Blackberry, raspberry, or dewberry (Rubus)

Rubus includes several closely related species including Blackberry, raspberry, and dewberry.  These plants have prickly stems (canes) that grow upward, arching back toward the ground. The stems are typically woody with prickles and often tipped with tiny hairs.  They have alternate, usually compound leaves. Their fruits may be red, black, yellow, or orange. Many species will flower during the spring months.  This plant is often confused with poison ivy during some seasons but these stems have thorns.

Where to FInd: These plants grow in open, sunny areas at the margin of woods, lakes, streams, and roads throughout temperate regions. There is also an arctic raspberry.

Edible Parts: The fruits and peeled young shoots are edible. Flavor varies greatly.  The berries are tender of difficult to pick without squishing them.

Other Uses: Use the leaves to make tea. To treat diarrhea, drink a tea made by brewing the dried root bark of the blackberry bush.