Himalayan Blackberry

Blake Garden Himalayan Hazard

Rubus discolor, the Himalayan Blackberry is a robust thicket forming shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall, with stalks up to 40 feet long.  this invasice blackberry can out-compete the native under story, and subsequently prevent the growth of native trees that require sunlight for germination, including the Douglas Fir, Western White Pine.  the thickets created by the invasive blackberry can block access to large wildlife to water and other resources as well as block pathways for people in parks or other natural area.  In a recent invasive weed survey, the Himalayan and evergreen blackberry covered more area than all other invasive species combined; to further support the claim of the blackberry's prominence, Seattle Urban Nature'ssurvey show that the same species are the most invasive species within Seattle's public forested areas.

Himalayan Blackberry habitat in Mount Sutro Forest

Himalayan Blackberry is also a special case however, one in which it is also helpful to a native species.  The Himalayan Blackberry provides shelter to native species of birds; the impassable thorny thickets provide a wonderful place for birds to nest, and can also provide for several types on insects that can capitalize on the leaves, or nectar of the blackberry patches.

Himalayan Blackberry grows fast, and spreads by creating new daughter plants when the ends of each stem (called 'canes') touch the ground.  Seed dispersal is aided by fructivorous birds.  the current distribution of Himalayan blackberry is shown to the left. Image courtesy of  the USDA Plant Profile webpage.