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Blackberry
Botanical name: Rubus fruticosus
Noxious Weed Category: Class 4
Blackberry Management Plan
Special note: Blackberry has been declared a "Weed of National Significance"
Photo: Ku-ring-gai Council Photo: Adam Burrowes
Description
Originating in Europe, Blackberry is a semi-deciduous woody shrub with scrambling stems generally 2 to 3m high. The arching stems are green to reddish purple and covered in prickles. The dark green leaves are in groups of 3 to 5. They are hairy and prickly, and pale underneath. Leaves are often shed in winter.
Flowers are 5-petalled, white or pink to 3cm wide. Flowering is spring to summer.
Bunches of succulent segmented berries 1-3cm across, ripening from green through red to black in late summer. Seeds are pitted to 3mm long
Dispersal
Fruit is eaten by birds and other animals, especially foxes. Blackberry is also spread by re-rooting stems and dumping.
Impact on bushland
Blackberry is one of the worst weeds of moist temperate Australia. Highly invasive, competes aggressively, rapidly forms thickets with a dense canopy of shade, excludes and replaces native vegetation. Threatens sensitive and fragile ecosystems.
Control Requirements
Small infestations on private land must be prevented from fruiting and flowering. For more details see the Blackberry Management Plan.
Control
Manual: Wear protective gloves and clothing. Cut and paint in spring to summer. Cut into the crown if possible
See Manual Weed Control Techniques.
Chemical: Please contact your local control authority for advice on chemical control.
Similar species
Native Rubus species are less vigorous and aggressive. They do not form extensive thickets, and are found in sheltered moist areas. They also have lighter green leaves and finer thorns.
Suggested alternatives
- Native Rubus species (Rubus parvifolius, Rubus hillii)
- Loganberry and Boysenberry (Rubus hybrids), but runners need to be controlled.
- Native Raspberry - see the Look-a-likes booklet
References
Weeds of Blue Mountains Bushland, Blue Mountains City Council and NPWS Blue Mountains
Attack of the Killer Weeds, Coastcare
WEEDeck, Sainty and Associates