PHOTO PROVIDED Blackberries have erect stems, which are usually angled in cross-sections, armed with large sharp spines

During the 1990s, areas of Sullivan County were devastated by both the gypsy moth and cankerworm. After the trees lost their leaves, many areas became heavily covered with blackberries.

Blackberries, along with raspberries, are known as brambles. Although no one knows exactly how many varieties of brambles there are in Eastern North America, more than 500 species have been named.

Our word bramble has several meanings in different Germanic languages, however, as with many plant names brambles does not always refer to the same plant. For example in Old High German “bramma” is a wild rose, and in old Saxon, “hiopbramio” is a hawthorn bush. These names come from prehistoric Germanic “braemoz,” meaning thorny bush.

Blackberries have erect stems, which are usually angled in cross-sections, armed with large sharp spines and most often have five leaflets. Raspberries have erect canes that are either without spines or with weak hairless spines and usually have three leaflets. The fruit of the raspberry is thimble or cap like, with the dry receptacle — the swollen part of the plant stem that forms the base of the flower — remaining on the bush. In blackberries, the receptacle itself becomes fleshy and is removed along with the fruit.

Red raspberries are frequently found in acid barrens at higher elevations. Blackberries generally occupy an intermediate temporary stage in both old fields and timber sales, but they are quickly eliminated as overgrowing trees provide too much shade.

The origin of the word raspberry is a mystery. At first, the fruit was known simply as raspes with the berry not tacked on until the early 17th century. The word berry comes from the Germatic word baji, with its earliest use seeming to have been mainly used for grapes.

During a family outing, we noticed some purple flowering raspberry bushes growing along roads and in thickets, but they are most often found abundantly in shady places in the woods. The plant has large leaves, rose-purple colored flowers, branches covered with bristly hairs and berries that have an undesirable taste.

Brambles are perennials and in most species, the roots live for many years, while the stems live for only two years. During the first year, the stems are usually sterile and have leaves unlike those of the second year. In most species, flowers appear in May and June, with the fruits ripening in early summer.

Brambles produce from seeds, sprouts, layers and underground stems. The growth, of most brambles, is more vigorous in full sunlight than in shade. Blackberries found growing in the shade are nearly or quite thorn-less and produce very little fruit. In full sunlight, the thorn less habit disappears, with fruit production greatly enhanced. However, raspberries do better in partial shade.

Blackberries and raspberries are at the top of the summer food list for wildlife. Even dried berries persisting on the canes are, to some extent, eaten into the fall and early winter months. However, wildlife will most often eat the fruits when they are juicy.

Although birds are heavy users of the fruit, the fruit is also important to raccoons, chipmunks, squirrels and other small animals. Deer and rabbits will also feed upon the leaves and stems. Of course, it is the wildlife that spreads the seeds that allow the brambles to invade new areas.

By late August and September, the tips of raspberry canes reach the ground. Many of these canes will form new plants naturally.

Native American women drank raspberry-leaf tea throughout their pregnancies. During labor, a woman would drink a hot, stronger version to quicken and ease the birthing process. During World War II, fragarine — which is the active ingredient in raspberry leaves — was discovered by obstetricians as a relaxant of the uterine muscles, an aid in childbirth.

However, it is important to remember that raspberry leaves containing moisture also contain hydrocyanic acid, a dangerous poison. Wilted (not thoroughly dried) raspberry leaves in uncured hay are a danger to cattle, while leaves in fully dried hay produce no ill effects to the cattle.

The English settlers in the New World prescribed a tea made from blackberry leaves for diarrhea, dysentery and as a healing gargle for sore throats. After the colonists revolted against England, imported tea became costly and unpatriotic. Due to this the colonists drank a substitute tea of blackberry leaves. A wine was made by boiling the young leaves and new tips. Sugar was added and then the mixture was set aside for a year before drinking.

It appears this will not be an excellent year for blackberries, raspberries and blueberries. I think wild berries always taste better than the cultivated berries, however, it could be that the labor that goes into picking these wild berries, with family and friends, makes them all the more delicious.

Bill Bower is a retired Pennsylvania Game Commission Wildlife Officer. Read his blog and listen to his podcasts on the outdoors at www.onemaningreen.com.