Weed Identification

Australia > > Blackberry

Blackberry

Rubus fruticosus species aggregate

THIS PLANT HAS BEEN DECLARED A WEED OF NATIONAL SIGNIFICANCE

Family: Rosaceae.

Form: Shrub

Origin: Native to Europe and adjacent areas.

Flowers/Seedhead: Flowers: To 3 cm wide with 5 white or pink petals. Flowers late spring to summer.

Description: Semi-deciduous scrambler to 2 m high with canes to about 7 m long. There are many taxa (in this case not true species) in the fruticosus aggregate. Stems mostly arching, green, reddish or purple, ribbed, angled or concave, with or without hairs. Prickles straight or curved. Leaves usually comprise 3 or 5 ovate leaflets, are dark green on the upper surface and with many to no hairs underneath. Fruit globe-shaped, 1–3 cm across, initially green ripening through red to black. Seeds pitted, to 3 mm long.

Dispersal: Spread by seed, rooting of cane tips and lateral roots producing suckers. The latter two means of spread result in large clumps over time. Fruit is eaten by birds and mammals (especially foxes) that may transport seeds some distance.


Thickets invading pasture at
Tumbarumba, NSW

Notes: The most common taxon (formerly Rubus procerus or Rubus discolor) in the Rubus fruticosus species—aggregate requires a name. Blackberry was first introduced to Australia in the early 1800s. It is one of the worst weeds of moist temperate Australia. Plants are not readily eaten by cattle, but goats will graze on them. Shrubs harbour feral animals but help prevent erosion. The rust, Phragmidium violaceum, has been introduced for biological control of various European Rubus taxa.

References:

    Noxious Weeds of Australia. W. Parsons and E. Cuthbertson, 1992, pages 577–582. The Biology of Australian Weeds. F. Panetta et al. (eds), Vol. 2, 1998, pages 225–246.

Web References: Search Australian web sites for further information on this weed.

Ripening fruit & flowers
Most common form of blackberry
showing stems and hairy
back of leaves
photo J.R. Hosking
Cane tip producing roots

This weed has been included in the WEEDeck field guide as card S07

More information about WEEDeck is available from Sainty & Associates Pty. Ltd.

 

Australia > > Blackberry

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