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Blackberries and raspberries belong to the same genus, and it can be hard to tell the difference between the two. It's not surprising that this confusion exists, because there are black raspberries and red blackberries, and both species vary wildly in matters such as leaves, thorns, and appearance of fruit. However, raspberries when picked leave a hard white cone behind; whereas blackberries when picked come away with the receptacle containing the juicy bits (druplets) intact.
Blackberries are called bramble bushes in the U.K., and mulberries in France --- and these names persist in the U.S.
While there are many kinds of blackberries native to the U.S., the Himalayan blackberries growing wild all over the U.S are not native, nor are Oregon evergreen or cutleaf blackberries, which are thought to have originated in England, arriving in the Pacific Northwest via the South Seas. Altogether, more than 2,000 varieties of blackberries abound in the U.S., whether as cultivated hybrids or as naturally-occurring varietals.
Tea made from blackberry leaves is a traditional tummy remedy, as strangely, is blackberry cordial, an alcoholic beverage made from blackberries cooked with sugar, water, and spices, to which a pint of brandy or whiskey is added to every quart of syrup.
Commercially-grown blackberries are often of varieties bred to hold their shape during transit --- usually at a cost to flavor. Similarly, commercially-grown blackberries often don't taste sweet, not having the fine balance of sugar and acidity of berries ripened on the vine.
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