Blackberry

BLACKBERRY
aka Bly, Brombere (Ger), Bramble, Brambleberry, Bramble-kite, Brameberry, Brombeere, Brummel, Brymbyl, Bumble-kite,
Cloudberry, Dewberry, Fingerberry, Goutberry, Piao (Chin), Scaldhead, Thimbleberry
Rosaceae
Rubus villosus (Amer) and Rubus fruticosus (Eur)
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Blackberries (notably R. fruticosus) are subject to legal control as a weed in parts of Australia and in some other countries.

CONTAINS:
Leaves and roots contain tannins (tannic acid from root can be obtained by boiling water or dilute alcohol), and flavonoids. Root also contains villosin.
Fruits contain Vitamin C, Vitamin A, malic and isocitric acids, monoglycoside of cyanidin, sugars, albumin, and pectin.

Culpeper: It is a plant of Venus in Aries...If any ask the reason why Venus is so prickly? Tell them 'tis because she is in the house of Mars.

This member of the rose family is part of a large genus worldwide consisting of raspberries, dewberries, thimbleberries, etc. Most are used in a similar manner. Blackberries have provided food for man since ancient times which is attested to by fossil evidence. Flowers and fruit can often be seen on the same plant at the same time.
Trailing, perennial plants found in dry or sandy soil. Canes heavily studded with stout, recurved prickles; leaves ovate, double serrate, pinnate with 3 to 5 leaflets; flowers white with 5 petals. R. fruticosus has a relaxed calyx.
Was mentioned by Aeschylus (ca.525-456 BC) and Hippocrates (ca.460-357 BC).
At one time, it not only had a reputation as a medicinal, but also as a charm against various illnesses.
The dried bark was official in the USP from 1820 to 1916 and in the NF from 1916 to 1936 as an astringent tonic. Berries were official in the NF from 1916 to 1926 as a flavoring agent in syrups.
PROPAGATION: Spreads easily enough on its own, but can be propagated by seed, softwood cuttings in summer, leaf bud cuttings in late summer, hardwood cuttings in winter, division in early spring or autumn; root cuttings 1/2 inch long are taken in autumn and stored in sand over winter at about 50