| Common Name: | Himalayan blackberry |
| Family: | Rosaceae |
| Genus: | Rubus |
| Species: | armeniacus |
| Classification/Rank: | Extremely Invasive |
| Method of Transportation: | Root and stem fragments can form a new plant. Transported by birds and omnivorous mammals that eat the berries and disperse the seeds. Humans also play a large factor in dispersal by purposefully planting canes. |
| Habitat/Range: | Himalayan blackberry survives in a wide range of habitats: well drained rich soils, many different soil textures and pHs, barren ground and even areas with periodic freshwater or brackish flooding. It can be found along ditches, disturbed sites, roadways and riparian zones. Himalayan blackberry is also found along forest edges and wooded ravines. |
Himalayan blackberry produces canes that can grow up to 3 m high and 12 m long. It has robust stems that are covered in prickles and evergreen type leaves that are toothed. The plant flowers in spring and produces berries that ripen from mid-summer to fall.
Though they may be delicious Himalayan blackberries pose a large ecological threat. Due to the massive thickets Himalayan blackberry produces shade intolerant plants are unable to compete and grow in infested areas. Riverbanks can become unstable and have more erosion because deep rooting plants cannot grow. Himalayan blackberry's impenetrable thickets can limit access to areas for animals and people, along stream banks these plants block access to water. Himalayan blackberry can also be hazardous along right-of-ways where it can block sight lines.
For some great alternatives to Himalayan blackberry check out the Grow Me Instead snapshot brochure! To report this plant call the Northwest Invasive Plant Council's Weed Hotline at 1-866-44WEEDS or use the Report-A-Weed application.
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