Wild Blackberry

English

Wild Blackberry

Latin

Rubus allegheniensis

Anishinaabemowin

odatagaagominagaawanzh (plant), odatagaagomin, (berry) (Baraga odatagagominagawanj, -ig 'a kind of mulberry bush', odatagagomin 'a kind of mulberry'; Gilmore: tetega-min)
(Smith: o'dataga' gomic, odataga' gomic)

Physical Description

The erect arching canes of the wild blackberry grow to be 6 feet tall or more and have large straight thorns. The compound leaves have 5 finely toothed leaflets that are soft and downy beneath and hairy on top. Blooming in June and July the white, 5-petaled flowers are numerous, often more than 20 in a loose cluster. From July through September the thimble-shaped, black berries mature. When picked, the receptacle stays with the fruit. Wild blackberry is found growing in old fields, thickets, pastures, along roadsides, and in conifer plantations. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker)

Uses & Preparation

Traditional medical practices included using an infusion of roots to treat diarrhea and as a gynecological aid to prevent miscarriage. The juicy berries were harvested as a source of food. (Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker)

Sources

Plants used by the Great Lakes Ojibwa, Meeker, Elias and Heim, Great Lakes Indian Fish and Wildlife Commission, Odanah, WI, 1993