Sand blackberry is a shrub in the rose (Rosaceae) family and is a deciduous to semi-evergreen shrub producing clusters of erect, rarely arching, densely-prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock This plant can be found in the coastal plains and sporadically in the Piedmont of NC. Sand blackberry is also present in the coastal areas of LA to NH and also in some inland eastern states and is often found in sandy thickets, woodland edges and fields. The 2-5 foot canes do not bloom or fruit the first year but flower in spring and produce fruit the second year, then die down. The showy white flowers appear in spring and are followed by purple/black edible berries. The plant is loaded with prickles on the canes and stems. The leaves are compound and with a distinctly pleated look. This plant prefers an acidic sandy loam in partial to full sun in moist but well-drained soil. Use in the edible garden or a naturalized or woodland area. It is a high-value plant for wildlife and provides food and cover year-long. 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. Thripes may be a problem. 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. In South Africa and Australia, it has become invasive. 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.
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
Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Obovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The compound leaves are densely white-hairy beneath. There are 3 leaflets that are broadest beyond the middle and have somewhat rounded tips. The leaves also tend to have a distinctive pleated look to them.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
In bloom from April to June. The white flowers have 5 petals, 5 sepals and numerous stamens. The plant produces apomictic flowers, these produce fruit and viable seed without fertilization, each seedling is a genetic copy of the parent.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Black
Fruit type
Aggregate; Drupe
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Fruit can be eaten raw or cooked. Dry but sweet and with a good flavor. Black fruit displays from June to July.
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Upright canes are green to brow with age and armed with many prickles
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
New York and New Hampshire south to Florida and west to Louisian
Distribution
AL, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, LA, MA, MD, MS, NC, NH, NJ, NY , PA, SC, TN, VA
Wildlife value
The nectar and pollen of the Sand blackberry flowers attract many kinds of insects, butterflies, and especially long-tongued and short-tongued bees. It provides protective cover year-round for numerous small animals and birds. The fruits are relished by songbirds, small mammals, foxes, raccoons and black bears. During the winter, birds and small mammals eat the seeds left from rotten fruit. White-tailed deer and rabbits browse the leaves.
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators; Small Mammals; Songbirds