Blackberry plant named ‘Eclipse’

Abstract

A new and distinct blackberry cultivar that originated from seed produced from a cross between the female blackberry plant ‘ORUS 1393-1’ (unpatented) and the male blackberry plant ‘Triple Crown’ (unpatented). This new blackberry is unique in that it contains all three commercial blackberry types (trailing, erect, and semi-erect) in its pedigree as either a parent or a grandparent. This new blackberry cultivar can be distinguished by being early ripening for a semi-erect blackberry, by its medium-sized, firm berries with tough skin and very good flavor, by its medium to high yields borne on a vigorous plant with a semi-erect type growth habit and by its completely thornless canes.

The invention claimed is: 
     
       1. A new and distinct cultivar of thornless blackberry plant, substantially as illustrated and described, characterized by its medium sized fruit that are sweet, firm and have a tough skin and that ripen earlier than most semi-erect blackberry cultivars.