Identification and Reproduction

Identification:

• Evergreen shrub that forms dense thickets and brambles. 
• Canes grow to 3 m in height and up to 12 m in length. Stems are stiff and five-angled with large prickles. Canes have the ability to root at the tips and produce axillary daughter plants. 

• Compound leaves are large and toothed, typically grouped in fives or threes. Underside of leaves will also bear prickles. 

• Small clusters of flowers which are white to pink, stalked, and five-petaled.

Reproduction:

• Himalayan blackberry can reproduce by seed, vegetatively from rooting at the stem, as well as sprouting from root buds.
• Plants begin flowering in spring with fruit ripening in midsummer to late August. Each individual fruit will produce a number of seeds.
• Once a thicket has developed seed production can reach up to 7,000-13,000 seeds per square meter, and seeds can remain viable in the soil for several years.
• Fruiting stems generally die back at the end of the season, but non-fruiting stems may persist for several years before producing fruit.
• Seeds are dispersed by birds and omnivorous mammals. Dispersal also occurs with root and stem fragments.

Habitat & Ecology

Found on disturbed sites, roadsides, pastures, stream-banks, and forest edges. They prefer rich, well-drained soils but they thrive on a variety of soil types. 

Impacts

Social: 

• Brambles can prevent access for recreation, reduce aesthetics of a landscape and block visual sightlines.  
• Sharp prickles can scratch and rip clothing as well as exposed skin. 
• Fruit flies overwinter in Himalayan blackberry berries, which when they emerge in Spring, impact agricultural berry crops.

Ecological: 

• Outcompetes native vegetation, prevents growth of native trees, and reduces biodiversity.
• Dense thickets will also impede the movement of large animals. 
• Increase flooding potential and sedimentation.  

Management

Manual/Mechanical Control:

• Best time for treatment is between late summer and early fall, prior to plant dormancy. 
• Mowing is effective, but BEWARE as this can also damage native species. If roots are not manually removed, mowing several times per year for 3-5 years is necessary to exhaust root reserves. If mowing is only conducted once per year it should be done as plants begin to flower.
• Persistent tilling or cutting in combination with mowing can be effective. This method is most effective if followed up with spot applications of herbicide or removal of entire root system.
• If plants are cut, all plant material must be collected in bags and disposed of at a landfill.

Click here for a manual/mechanical management prescription for Himalayan blackberry.

Chemical Control: 

• A number of herbicides have proven effective on Himalayan blackberry: dicamba, glyphsate, triclpyr and metsulfuron methyl. 
• Proceed with caution during applications and refrain from injuring or killing non-target species. 
• Remember to full read and follow chemical labels. 

For further details on proper Himalayan blackberry chemical control please refer to the Metro Vancouver's BMP for Himalayan blackberry (pg. 10-18). 

Resources

Download the Invasive Species Council of BC's factsheet on Himalayan blackberry here.

Download the Metro Vancouver's Best Management Practices for Himalayan blackberry here (pg. 10-18).

Download the Metro Vancouver Factsheet on Himalayan blackberry here.

Header photo (Meloe). 

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