Yankee Blackberry

Rubus pensilvanicus

Native to:
Canada, United States

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Taxonomy

Division:
Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
Family:
Rosaceae
Genus:
Rubus
Species:
Rubus pensilvanicus
USDA Symbol:
RUFR4

Growth Characteristics

Life Cycle:
Perennial
Growth Habit:
Subshrub
Height:
200 cm
Light Requirements:
Full Sun,Part Shade,Shade
Drought Tolerance:
Medium
Bloom Months:
may,jun,jul
Bloom Colors:
white

Wildlife Benefits

Bees:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
Butterflies & Moths:
★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Caterpillars:
★☆☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)

Keystone Species Ranking

Caterpillar Keystone:
★★★★★ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)

Host Plant for Caterpillars

Tischeria aenea

Reported Fauna Sightings

Moths:Coptotriche aenea

Garden & Ecology Notes

Wildlife Value:
birds, small mammals, bees, butterflies
Fire Ecology:
Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
Fire Notes:
Resprouts vigorously from root crown following fire; often increases in density post-disturbance.

Propagation & Germination

Stratification:
Cold/moist stratification required — 90–120 days
Scarification:
Seed coat scarification required before sowing
Germination Time:
30–90 days
Notes:
Seeds have hard seed coat and embryo dormancy; scarification followed by cold stratification improves germination. Germination can be erratic.

The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI

Pre-treatment: Cold-moist stratification for 30 days at 1–5°C (34–41°F).

Source: Claude AI