Kendall County (IL) Forest Preserve District

 Black Raspberry
Rubus occidentalis   [C-value 2]
Rose family (Rosaceae)
Blooms mid-May - June

The native Black Raspberry is common in our area, and is becoming a nuisance in some of our natural areas as it shades out other native plants. It  prefers partial sun and moist to slightly dry rich loamy soil. Habitats include openings in deciduous woodlands, woodland borders, savannas and overgrown vacant lots. It is a multi-stemmed perennial shrub, 3-6' tall and 6-12' wide, that commonly forms broad colonies. The long, slender, arching canes are purplish-red with prickles. The trifoliate crinkly leaves are green on top and whitened beneath. Flat-topped clusters of five-petal white flowers are followed by round, raspberry-like, red berries that turn black when ripe. 

Black Raspberry at Pickerill/Pigott Forest Preserve May 17, 2015

Black Raspberry along woodland trail at Richard Young Forest Preserve June 9, 2015

Black Raspberry at Subat Forest Preserve August 14, 2013

Yes, the berries are edible, but please see our Do Not Disturb Notice.

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