Black- or purple-fruited species of shrub. The fruit is not a true berry; botanically it is termed an aggregate fruit, composed of small drupelets. The leaves and young shoots of the blackberry bush produce a dark brown or black dye that is rich in tannins. The roots give orange and greenish tones. The blackberry fruit, when ripe, makes red (no mordant), green (chromium mordant) or purple (aluminum or tin mordants) dyes. The addition of vinegar to the dye bath strengthens the purple tones. The primary colorants in the berries are anthocyanins, such as cyanidin, malvidin, and chrysanthemin.
