Smooth blackberry is a subshrub in the rose family (Rosaceae) that is native to the eastern USA including the mountains of NC and eastern Canada. It can be found growing in forested and disturbed areas as an understory plant. The canes are erect to arching. It spreads by rhizomes, which are typically found about 3 to 4 inches below the surface and can form thickets. Rubus is Latin for blackberry or raspberry, and canadensis means “from Canada” Smooth blackberry has almost completely smooth stems that are free of prickles and spines. Leaves are smooth and compound. The fruit is edible raw or cooked in pies or jams and is sweet, juicy and richly flavored compared to other species of blackberries. Because it grows well in relatively barren conditions and sprouts after fire, smooth blackberry is used for reclaiming disturbed areas. The dense colonies of these shrubs provide excellent cover for nesting birds. The canes create nearly impenetrable thickets where birds, rabbits, and other animals hide. Game birds, songbirds, raccoons, chipmunks, and squirrels eat the fruits. The nectar and pollen of the flowers attract many kinds of insects, especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees and butterflies. This plant is moderately resistant to damage from deer. Native bees nest in the dead, hollow stems, so gardeners are encouraged to cut back dead stems to 12 to 24 inches and allow them to remain standing until they disintegrate on their own. Read more about best practices for stem-nesting bees in this NC Extension publication . Grow this plant in part shade in moist well-drained soils in naturalized areas or along ponds and streams. Can be used to creat a barrier and to provide shelter for wildlife. Information on blackberry cultivation for home gardeners is available in the NC State Extension publication Blackberries for the Home Garden . Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus. That said, this plant has no significant problems, but it can become aggressive and difficult to eliminate. Because it is so successful and can spread easily, use caution when selecting a planting site. Herbicides may be required to completely eliminate the plant. More information on Rubus .
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight) | Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
NC region
Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 7 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 12 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
> 6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Alternate palmately compound leaves with leaflets up to 4 to 8 inches long. Generally smooth on both surfaces with serrated margins. Typically has 5 leaflets but sometimes 3. The terminal leaflet has a semi-cordate base and long petiolule (stem). The smaller basal leaflets are nearly sessile (stemless).
Flower color
White
Flower form
Raceme
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Numerous 5-petaled white flowers are borne in clusters of up to 25. Individual flowers are 1-1.5 inches across. Each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent. Flowers bloom from June to July.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
The fruit is an aggregate of small drupes, each containing a single seed. Fruit can measure up to an inch long. Fruits display from July to August.
Stem detail
Stems are free of prickles and spines.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Eastern North America
Distribution
CT , GA , KY , MA , MD , ME , MI , MN , NC , NH , NJ , NY , OH , PA , SC , TN , VA , VT , WI , WV Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Wildlife value
This plant provides nectar for pollinators. Fruit is enjoyed by birds and small mammals. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds
The fruit of all species of blackberries can be eaten fresh or frozen and used to make desserts and sweet liqueurs.
Uses (ethnobotany)
Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked in pies and jams. Sweet, juicy and richly flavoured, it is generally preferred to most other species of blackberries. The fruit can be pressed into cakes and then dried for later use. The fruit can be up to an inch long.