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Black Raspberry
Black Raspberry botanical plate
Field guide plate · click to zoom

Black Raspberry

Rubus occidentalis

Honeybees forage heavily on black raspberry for its rich nectar and pollen supplies during late spring bloom, providing an important early-season resource before major flows. Peak bloom occurs in May to June in northern ranges, supporting colony buildup. The shrub suckers aggressively to form thickets, which can become weedy without management, and canes may require trellising for optimal access; it attracts deer and birds that may compete with bees for blooms.

Nectarhigh
Pollenhigh
BloomMay–June
USDA zones3-8
TypePerennial
Sunpartial
NativeEastern North America
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