Marionberries are a specific cultivar of trailing blackberry. The original and standard variety does have thorns. This popular Rubus hybrid, known for its deep, complex flavor profile, was developed in Oregon in the mid-20th century. The standard plant is a vigorous grower that produces long canes covered in sharp structures, which are inherited directly from its parentage.
The Thorny Reality of Standard Marionberries
The original Marionberry cultivar is a cross between the ‘Chehalem’ and ‘Olallie’ blackberries, inheriting the thorny characteristic from both parent varieties. Released in 1956, the Marionberry became the industry standard due to its superior fruit quality, despite the difficulty of managing the armed, trailing canes.
The standard plant’s canes can grow up to 20 feet in a single season, requiring sturdy trellising and significant protective gear for pruning and harvesting. These sharp growths serve as a natural defense mechanism against browsing animals. Commercial harvesting is often done by machine to minimize contact for farm workers, though the prickles can still complicate the process.
The Difference Between Thorns and Prickles
While most people refer to the sharp parts on a Marionberry plant as thorns, botanists classify them as prickles. Prickles are outgrowths of the plant’s epidermis and cortex, meaning they are essentially “skin” layers and do not contain internal vascular tissue. This allows them to be snapped off relatively cleanly from the cane.
True thorns, in contrast, are modified stems or branches that contain vascular bundles, making them deeply embedded and much harder to remove. The structures on all members of the Rubus genus, which includes blackberries and raspberries, are technically prickles.
Availability of Thornless Marionberry Varieties
Plant breeders have developed several thornless cultivars to retain the Marionberry’s distinct flavor while eliminating the harvest hazard. While a true, direct thornless mutation of the ‘Marion’ cultivar is rare in commercial circulation, several close relatives and successful crosses are widely available.
These newer varieties offer a similar taste and high yield without the need for protective clothing during harvest. Examples of thornless trailing blackberries developed with Marionberry genetics include ‘Black Pearl,’ ‘Black Diamond,’ and ‘Nightfall.’ The ‘Columbia Star,’ released in 2014, is another high-yielding, firm, and sweet thornless cultivar in the Marionberry lineage. Selecting one of these purpose-bred options is the practical solution for home gardeners and commercial growers looking to avoid the prickles.