Tall, scrambling shrub or climber. Fl. white/pink, Oct to Dec or Jan (?). Along streams.
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.
Calendar Type | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | Comments |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
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.