Because of the resemblance, people often confuse the blackberry and black raspberry. These two cultures are not common everywhere, so there is not enough experience to recognize them.
But there are distinctive signs, having studied which, it becomes impossible to take one for the other. Consider how blackberry differs from black raspberry.
External differences
It is a mistake to assume that black raspberry and blackberry have an important difference - the color of the berry. Both ripening crops have red berries that turn black when ripe. Thus, color cannot be a distinctive criterion.
Different flowering period
Both cultures are protected from late frosts in late blooming, only black raspberries bloom earlier - by early June, while blackberry flowers appear closer to the second decade of June.
Check out such varieties of blackberry as "Giant", "Chester Thornless", "Thornfrey", "Ruben", "Black Satin".
Different ripening period
Another difference is the ripening period of the fruit. Thus, raspberry berries reach maturity by early or mid-July, while blackberry fruits can be enjoyed in the midst of August.
Important! The black raspberry, being a remontant crop, produces a crop once a year at a time, while the blackberry can be harvested right up until October frosts.
Pay attention to the separation from the receptacle
Blackberries and raspberries have similar berries, consisting of single-seeded joints, connected with microscopic hairs, what is the difference between these fruits?
- Blackberries form their drupes around the core, it is not hollow, it has a white center inside. When harvesting berries come off in the place where it is attached to the stalk, along with the receptacle.
- Raspberries are easy to remove from the receptacle, which remains at the same time on the plant. The berry is hollow inside, its shape is more rounded.
Type of stalks (twigs)
Both plants are a shrub whose twigs grow from the ground, have thorns and similar leaves. At first glance, there are no differences. If you look more closely, you will notice that:
- Black raspberry stalks are shorter, pale in color with a bluish tinge, which is erased by rubbing the stem.
- Blackberry twigs are very long and strong, they grow up to 3 meters in size, the color is green.
Pay attention to the spikes
There is a difference between the prickles with which both plants are supplied.
- Blackberries are very large, resemble pink thorns.
- Black raspberry spines are something between spikes of a red relative and blackberry, they are much larger, at the same time they are not very dense and have a somewhat fuzzy appearance.
Did you know? According to the legend of ancient Greece, blackberries are the drops of blood of titans, defeated during an epic battle with the gods.
Berry shape
There is a difference in the form of berries:
- Blackberry is more reminiscent of the shape of the red raspberry berry than its black relative. It is oblong, its surface is glossy or has a gray patina, depending on the variety. It also has a dense texture, can be stored for a long time and is well transported.
- The black raspberry berry is round or hemispherical in shape, and although its receptacle is not large, it is still clear that this is a raspberry - the berry is empty inside. From above there is a bluish bloom and light fleecy. Quite a long time does not lose density and does not crumble.
Bush shape
The bushes of both plants are somewhat different in shape:
- Blackberry denser and thickened.
- Raspberry growth is more free, and its branches are twice as short.
You will be interested to know about the main varieties of black raspberry.
Differences in care
These plants, being relatives and having common diseases, cannot coexist and inherit the site after each other. Also extremely undesirable neighborhood Solanova: eggplants, tomatoes, potatoes, and other raspberry varieties.
Important! Diseases - fungal infection and verticillary wilting can accumulate in the soil and damage planted young shoots.
Drought tolerance
Both plants tolerate drought quite well, but during the fruiting period, it is desirable to additionally water them to improve the quality of the berries. Both do not like stagnant waters, but they treat the irrigation favorably. 
At the same time, the blackberry is more resistant to drought, as well as to pests and diseases, while raspberries, with a lack of moisture, will wither.
Learn more about the Cumberland raspberry variety.
Heat requirements
Blackberry does not tolerate shading, extremely negative reaction to it. The warmest and the sunniest places are desirable for this culture, while the raspberry tolerates a light shadow.
Important! Unlike its red relative, the black raspberry is almost not susceptible to pests and diseases, moreover, it is much more productive.
Soil requirements
Both crops are not suitable stagnant water in the soil, like drained soil, retaining heat and supplied with minerals.
- The best blackberry yield is obtained when it grows on a fertilized, well-drained loam that has a neutral or slightly acidic reaction. It is not suitable limestone soil - a lack of iron and magnesium can affect the health of the plant, it can hit chlorosis.
- Black raspberries like loamy and sandy soil, preferably if it is well fertilized. The maximum yield is obtained if the shrub is planted in light loamy chernozem or gray forest soil.
Frost resistance
Blackberry bush needs more warmth than raspberry. So, it is recommended to cover it for the winter in order to protect the root system and the stems from freezing, especially if winter is snowless and freezing. Temperature -15 ° C is detrimental to the shrub. Raspberries are immune to cold, withstanding -20-25 ° C, but if the winters in the growing region are cold, it is better to cover it to avoid freezing.
Did you know? The belief that the collection of blackberries after September 29 is prohibited, they say, it marked the devil, is rooted in the deepest pagan antiquity and is associated with the astronomical approach of autumn, the solstice and the two-week festivities dedicated to him. Christian tradition replaced it with the Nativity of the Blessed Virgin Mary celebrated on September 21.
Yield
Compared crops are distinguished by high yields, but the blackberry is still much more prolific: it can bring, depending on the variety, up to 20 kilograms of berries per season, while a raspberry bush can produce up to 4 kilograms of berries.
Did you know? In folk medicine, all parts of the blackberry bush are used.Despite the fact that in both cultures the fruit is a black berry, similar to raspberries, they have not only external, and quite noticeable differences, their care requirements also differ. Both of them are quite in demand among gardeners, have many valuable useful properties and have excellent taste.
