Wild Raspberries

In July, in the moist, riparian canyons in Arizona's Santa Catalina Mountains near Summerhaven, the fruit of at least two species of our native raspberries (Rubus spp.) will become ripe and ready to eat. Their tartly-sweet, juicy fruits are quite delicious and eagerly sought by birds, animals, and humans alike.

The berry shown below is that of an American Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus). These shrubs have bright red berries and green, pinnate leaves with 3 to 7 toothed leaflets.

American Red Raspberry (Rubus idaeus)

The darker fruit of a New Mexico Raspberry (Rubus neomexicanus) is shown below. These shrubs have purplish red berries and green, 3 to 5-lobed leaves.

New Mexico Raspberry (Rubus neomexicanus)