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Loganberry

The loganberry is a hybrid bramble in the rose family, grown for its edible fruit.

By Ethan Anderson| Reviewed by Olivia Bennett, Standards & Fact-Checking Lead| Updated July 26, 2026|2 min read| Fact-checked

The loganberry is a hybrid bramble in the rose family, grown for its edible fruit. It is generally treated as a cross between the red raspberry and the Pacific blackberry, and is associated with a chance seedling raised by James Harvey Logan in Santa Cruz, California, in 1881.

Taxonomy and classification

The loganberry is a hybrid bramble in the family Rosaceae. Sources identify it as *Rubus × loganobaccus* and describe it as a cross between *Rubus idaeus* and *Rubus ursinus*.

Origin and history

The plant originated in Santa Cruz, California, in 1881 and is associated with James Harvey Logan, an American lawyer and amateur horticulturist. It is widely described as an accidental hybrid raised from seed in Logan’s garden.

Description and growth

Loganberry plants produce thorny trailing canes and pale pink to white flowers followed by elongated dark red fruit. The fruiting habit and cane structure are similar to other brambles. The plant grows as a bramble with thorny canes and can be trained.

Uses

Loganberries are grown for their tart, aromatic fruit. They are used in jams, pies, preserves, frozen products, and wine.

Key facts

  • The loganberry is a hybrid between raspberry and blackberry species.
  • It was first raised in 1881 in Santa Cruz, California.
  • The plant is commonly identified as *Rubus × loganobaccus*.
  • Its fruit is deep red, elongated, and used fresh or in preserves, pies, and wine.
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Canadian context

Loganberries are of interest to Canadian readers as a temperate-climate berry crop and garden plant, though the sources provided focus mainly on the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom.

Frequently asked questions

What is a loganberry?
A loganberry is a hybrid berry plant in the rose family, usually described as a raspberry-blackberry cross.
What is the scientific name of loganberry?
The scientific name is commonly given as *Rubus × loganobaccus*.
Where did loganberry originate?
It originated in Santa Cruz, California, in 1881.
Who discovered the loganberry?
It is associated with James Harvey Logan, an American lawyer and amateur horticulturist.
What is loganberry fruit used for?
It is used in jams, pies, preserves, frozen products, and sometimes wine.

References

  1. PlantNET / Royal Botanic Gardens Sydneyhttps://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Rubus~loganobaccus
    Supports: Scientific name, family, hybrid parentage, edible fruit, and distribution notes.
  2. Royal Horticultural Societyhttps://www.rhs.org.uk/plants/112476/rubus-x-loganobaccus-f/details
    Supports: Plant description, growth habit, flowers, fruiting season, and common name.
  3. Encyclopaedia Britannicahttps://www.britannica.com/plant/loganberry
    Supports: Origin in Santa Cruz, California, 1881; association with James Harvey Logan; parentage; uses of the fruit; general description.