Rubus rugosus Sm.

Reference: Rees, Cycl. 30:n.34 (1815)
Conservation Code: Not threatened
Naturalised Status: Alien to Western Australia
Name Status: Current

Tall, scrambling shrub or climber. Fl. white/pink, Oct to Dec or Jan (?). Along streams.

Distribution

IBRA Regions: Jarrah Forest, Warren.
IBRA Subregions: Northern Jarrah Forest, Warren.
Local Government Areas (LGAs): Armadale, Augusta Margaret River.

Management Notes (for the Swan NRM Region)

Alternative Names. Himalayan blackberry.

General Biology. Growth form. Shrub. Reproduction. Seed, stem layering, suckering. Dispersal. Birds, foxes, other mammals, garden refuse. Vegetative regeneration strategy. Resprouts, produces root suckers, stem layering. Seedbank persistence. Unknown for this species, however seed dormancy and vaiblility is highly variable within Rubus, all species have some dormancy.

Notes. In 2004/2005 herbarium collections of blackberry were made across the state as part of a NRM project to determine the overall distribution and incidence of weedy blackberry taxa. It identified WA has several weedy Rubus species, with no native Rubus species. The one record of R. rugosus from Roleystone was not relocated in the study. For further information on identification refer to Barker and Barker (2005) Blackberry: an identification tool to introduced & native Rubus in Australia [CD-ROM] or CSIRO (2005) Field guide for the identification of WA blackberry. Produces fruit after 18months. Most Rubus spp. are deciduous however R. rugosus is evergreen in its native habitat. For all Rubus, consumption of seeds by animals is important in their reproductive biology particularly in breaking seed dormancy.

Additional information. Origin. Tropical Asia. History of use/introduction. Garden/farm escape, edible fruits. Similar exotic species. Rubus anglocandicans, R. ulmifolius.

Suggested method of management and control. Spray with metsulfuron methyl 1 g/10 L + the wetting agent Endose® at 30 ml/10 L, in summer-autumn. Will require follow up for a number of years. For small infestations or in sensitive areas hand pull small plants or seedlings. For larger plants cut and paint with 20-50% glyphosate or slash canes. Spray regrowth at 50cm with metsulfuron methyl 1 g/10 L + the wetting agent Endose® at 30 ml/10 L, in summer-autumn. Read the manufacturers' labels and material safety data sheets before using herbicides. For further information consult the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority to determine the status of permits for your situation or state.

Management Calendar

Calendar Type	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Active Growth	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y	Y
Flowering	Y	Y						Y
Fruiting		Y	Y	Y
Optimum Treatment	Y	Y	Y	Y

Legend: Y = Yes, regularly, O = Occasionally, U = Uncertain, referred by others but not confirmed.

References

Barker, R.M. & Barker, W.R. (2005) Blackberry: an identification tool to introduced and native Rubus in Australia. Edn 1.00. State Herbarium of South Australia, Adelaide.
Brown, K. & Brooks, K. (2002) Bushland Weeds: A Practical Guide to their Management. Environmental Weeds Action Network, Greenwood.
CRC Weed Management (2003) Weeds of National Significance, Weed Management Guide, Blackberry - Rubus fruticosus aggregate. Department of Environment and Heritage.
Department of Primary Industries (2009) Invasiveness Assessment - Keriberry (Rubus rugosus) in Victoria. Victoria Resources Online. State of Victoria URL: http://www.dpi.vic.gov.au/dpi/vro/vrosite.nsf/pages/invasive_keriberry - Accessed October 2009.
Environment Waikato (2009) Environment Waikato pest guide - section 4. URL: http://www.ew.govt.nz/Environmental-information/Plant-and-animal-pests/Plant-pests/#Heading3 - Accessed November 2009.
Hussey, B.M.J., Keighery, G.J., Dodd, J., Lloyd, S.G. & Cousens, R.D. (2007) Western Weeds. A guide to the weeds of Western Australia. 2nd Edition. The Plant Protection Society of Western Australia, Victoria Park.
USDA, ARS, National Genetic Resources Program (2009) Germplasm Resources Information Network - (GRIN). National Germplasm Resources Laboratory, Beltsville, Maryland. URL: https://npgsweb.ars-grin.gov/gringlobal/taxon/taxonomysimple.aspx - Accessed October 2009.
Yeoh, P.B., Scott, J.K., Batchelor, K.L., Morin, L., Fontanini, L., McFarlane, T.D., Wilson, I.J, Moore, J.H., Merks, P.F. & Taylor, M. (2006) Weedy blackberry and raspberry species in Western Australia and strategies for their management (Draft). CSIRO.
Zasada, J.C. & Tappeiner, J.C. (2002) Rosaceae-Rose family, Rubus L. The National Seed Laboratory, USDA Forest Service URL: http://www.nsl.fs.fed.us/wpsm/Rubus.pdf - Accessed October 2009.