Youngberry

Youngberry is a complex hybrid between three different species from the genus Rubus, the raspberries, blackberries, and dewberries of the rose family.[1] The berries of the plant are eaten fresh or used to make juice, jam, and in recipes.

Rubus caesius 'Youngberry'
Species	Rubus caesius
Cultivar	'Youngberry'
Breeder	Byrnes M. Young, a businessman in Morgan City, Louisiana

Byrnes M. Young, a businessman in Morgan City, Louisiana, who loved science and plants, had an ongoing correspondence with Luther Burbank, who had created the 'Phenomenal' blackberry–raspberry hybrid.[1] Young then crossed the 'Phenomenal' with the Austin-Mayes dewberry that was better adapted to his area. This produced 'Youngberry' in 1905, which was then released in 1926.[2]

It has red coloured berries with a sweet and juicy flesh, but can not be stored for more than 3 to 4 days.[2]

While the 'Youngberry' is not grown much in the U.S., it is grown in Australia, New Zealand and South Africa and was a parent of the commercially successful olallie blackberry,[2] and a grandparent of the marionberry.

They can be grown in very fertile clay soils.[3]

Like its 'Phenomenal' parent, it is a hexaploid.[1]

References

1. Darrow, G.M. (1955). "Blackberry—raspberry hybrids". Journal of Heredity. 46 (2): 67–71.
2. "Youngberry Fruit Facts and Health Benefits 101". 101healthyrecipes.com. Retrieved 29 January 2017.
3. Heally, Paul (2 November 2013). "Cane and able". organicgardener.com.au. Retrieved 29 January 2017.