Quick Answer
No, not all blackberry bushes have thorns. Some cultivated varieties have been bred to be thornless, while others may have reduced or no thorns.
Types of Blackberry Bushes
There are two main types of blackberry bushes: those with thorns and those without. The thorned varieties are the wild or native blackberries (Rubus argutus) found in North America, and they have sharp, hooked thorns that can make them difficult to navigate. These thorns serve as a defense mechanism, deterring animals and humans from eating the berries.
Thornless Varieties
Thornless blackberry bushes (Rubus fruticosus) are cultivated varieties that have been bred to produce fruit without the thorns. These varieties are popular in gardens and landscapes because they are easier to maintain and harvest. Thornless blackberries are still a type of bramble, but they have fewer or no thorns, making them more accessible for picking. In fact, some thornless varieties can produce up to 1 pound (450 grams) of fruit per bush per year.
Identifying Thornless Blackberries
If you’re looking for thornless blackberry bushes, you can identify them by their smooth stems and leaves. Thornless blackberries may have a slightly different growth habit, with more horizontal branches, and may produce fruit earlier in the season than thorned varieties. When foraging for wild berries, it’s essential to be able to identify thornless blackberries to avoid accidentally harming yourself on thorns.
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