blackberry

Everyday

1. A blackberry is a small soft dark purple-black fruit made of many tiny round parts, which grows on a thorny bush called a bramble. tree →
2. The blackberry bush itself. tree →

In the lessons

In science and nature lessons, blackberries grow wild in hedges and woods in late summer; birds and animals eat them and spread the seeds. In everyday life families go blackberry picking and make crumble, jam and pies. Safety: only pick and eat wild berries an adult says are safe, and wash them. Phrases: «blackberry picking», «blackberry jam», «blackberry and apple crumble».

Examples

• We picked blackberries along the lane. tree →
• Blackberries stain your fingers purple. tree →
• Mum made blackberry and apple crumble. tree →
• Watch out for thorns on the blackberry bush. tree →
• A blackberry is made of lots of tiny bubbles called drupelets. tree →
• Birds love eating ripe blackberries. tree →
• Only eat berries if an adult says they are safe. tree →
• Green blackberries are not ripe yet. tree →
• But Flopsy, Mopsy, and Cotton-tail had bread and milk and blackberries for supper. tree →

Note

Plural: blackberries (y → ies). In some places blackberries are a weed that spreads fast (e.g. in Australia and New Zealand). Trap: a blackberry starts green, then red, and only becomes black when ripe. BlackBerry (with a capital B) was also a brand of phone.