About Raspberries

Raspberry Facts

• Raspberries belong to the genus Rubus, which is a part of the Rose family. Cultivated raspberries have been derived mainly from two species, the wild red raspberry (Rubus ideaus) and black raspberry (Rubus occidentalis). Purple type is a cross between the black and red raspberry, and yellow type is a mutant red raspberry.

• Raspberries' underground root stem and crown are perennial, and canes from underground buds are biennial — primocanes (first year canes) and floricanes (canes in second year).

• There are over 200 species of raspberries.

• Raspberries can be grown from the Arctic to the equator.

• Receptacle remains on plant when fruit is harvested leaving a hole at the bottom of the fruit.

• Fruits are red, yellow, orange, purple or black.

• 60-70 pints of fruits can be harvested from 100 feet row.

• Raspberries can be harvested from early summer through fall.

• Raspberries are sold in pound units.

• Average yield per acre in Illinois varies. For example, black raspberries yield 2,000 pounds/acre and red raspberries yield 4,000 pounds/acre.

References

Childers, N.F. 1983. Modern Fruit Science. Horticultural publications, Gainesville, FL. 583pp.

Courter, J. W., C. C. Doll, D. B. Meador and H. J. Hopen. Yields of Commercial Food Crops in Illinois. Horticulture fact sheets, Cooperative Extension Service, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign, College of Agriculture, Consumer and Environmental Sciences. Publication Number HM-5-82.

Crandall, P.C. 1995. Bramble Production: The Management and Marketing of Raspberries and Blackberries. Food Product Press, an imprint of the Haworth Press Inc., Binghamton, NY. 213pp.

Gordon, D. 1997. Growing Fruit in the Upper Midwest. University of Minnesota Press, Minneapolis, MN. 286pp.

Gough, R.E. and B.E. Poling. 1996. Small Fruits in the Home Garden. Food Product Press, an imprint of the Haworth Press Inc., Binghamton, NY. 272pp.

Illinois Department of Agriculture. 2000-2001 Illinois Food Guide.

Pritts, M. and D. Handley (Eds.). 1991. Bramble Production Guide. NRAES-35. Northeast regional agricultural engineering service, Ithaca, NY. 189pp.

Other Raspberry Links

Midwest Small Fruit Pest Management Handbook. 
The Ohio State University Bulletin 861

Compendium of Raspberry and Blackberry Diseases and Insects

Raspberry Diseases: University of Minnesota

Michigan State University

Verticillium Wilt on Raspberry (University of Wisconsin)

Viruses on Raspberry (University of Wisconsin)

Raspberry Recipes

Botanical.com