Rubus × 'Navaho' is the first erect, thornless blackberry cultivar developed through the hybridization of several complex breeding lines within the University of Arkansas system. Its primary genetic foundation stems from the cross between the thornless cultivar 'Ark. 583' and the erect, thorny cultivar 'Ark. 631'. These non-patented parents were selected to resolve a specific agricultural challenge: 'Ark. 583' contributed the recessive genes for a smooth, thornless epidermis, while 'Ark. 631' provided the robust, self-supporting upright architecture that eliminated the need for trellising. This combination successfully merged the physical convenience of thornless canes with the structural integrity of wild erect brambles, representing a significant shift from the trailing or semi-erect habits of earlier thornless releases like 'Thornfree' or 'Hull Thornless'.