The common species has woody stems thickly covered with weak prickles, pinnate leaves and whitish flowers.
The fruit consists of many small juicy grains or drupes of a subacid flavour arranged on a conical receptacle, from which the ripe fruit is easily detached unbroken.
The common raspberry, both wild and cultivated, is of a red colour; white and yellow varieties also exist. The fruit is much used for making preserves, confections, liquors, etc.
The root of the raspberry is considered to be perennial.