Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry)

Rubus armeniacus (=R. discolor)

Photo courtesy Joseph DiTomaso

Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry), formerly known as Rubus discolor, is a sprawling, essentially evergreen, glandless, robust shrub (family Rosaceae). Rubus armeniacus occurs in California in the coast ranges, Central Valley, and Sierra Nevada. This weed is a strong competitor. It rapidly displaces native plant species and thickets to produce such a dense canopy that the lack of light severely limits the growth of understory plants.

Cal-IPC Inventory rating: High

Cal-IPC Resources on Rubus armeniacus

• California Invasive Plant Inventory Plant Assessment Form - Information gathered by Cal-IPC on the impacts, rate of spread, and distribution of invasive plants in California. Does not include management information.
• CalWeedMapper - Statewide maps, climate models, and reports.
• Species account from Invasive Plants of California's Wildlands - Includes biology and management information.
• Cal-IPC News - Articles from our quarterly newsletter. Each issue is available as a pdf. List of articles on Rubus armeniacus.
• Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings - Presentations and papers from our annual Symposium. List of articles on Rubus armeniacus.
• Weed Worker's Handbook (pdf) - Includes reproduction factors and treatment options.

Cal-IPC News Articles

• Marovich, R. (2009). A new invasive raspberry? Cal-IPC News. 17: 99.
• Schneider, H. (2009). Cal-IPC Student Chapter continues to grow. Cal-IPC News. 17: 8.
• Schwartz, S. (2009). East Bay volunteers head to the hills and the shores. Cal-IPC News. 16: 8-9.
• (1993). California Exotic Pest Plant Council draft list exotic plants of greatest concern October 1993. CalEPPC News. 1: 6.
• (1994). Exotic pest plants of greatest ecological concern in California September 1994. CalEPPC News. 2: 10.
• (1999). Richmond weed abatement ordinance. CalEPPC News. 7: 10.
• DiTomaso, J. (1998). Results of the CalEPPC questionnaire at Symposium '98 in Ontario. CalEPPC News. 6: 4.
• Richardson, B. (2004). Rubus armeniacus. Cal-IPC News. 12: 7.

Cal-IPC Symposium Proceedings

• Jones, L. J. and M. Hutten (2010). Trials of aminopyralid and a cut-and-dab method for Himalayan blackberry control. Cal-IPC 2010 Symposium. Ventura, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Pacini, N. (2008). Mechanical control coupled with native species planting as a cost-effective method of controlling Himalayan blackberry. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Rogner, M. (2008). A four-step approach to Himalayan blackberry (Rubus discolor) removal. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008. Chico, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• Clark, L. and M. Jasieniuk (2008). Hybridization between invasive and native blackberries (Rubus) in California. California Invasive Plant Council Symposium 2008. Chico, CA, California Invasive Plant Council.
• DiTomaso, J. M. (1997). Risk analysis of various weed control methods. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium '97. Concord, CA.
• Jackson, N. E. (1996). Control of exotic weeds with Roundup herbicide: A survey of projects around the world. California Exotic Pest Plant Council Symposium. San Diego, CA.

Other Resources on Rubus armeniacus

• USDA PLANTS database - Federal database with information on identification and distribution, and links to websites in individual states.
• Jepson Online Interchange for California Flora - Information on taxonomy, biology, and distribution from the UC Berkeley Jepson Herbarium.
• CalFlora - Distribution information by county based on submitted observations and herbarium specimens.
• The Nature Conservancy Element Stewardship Abstract - Information compiled by TNC land managers. Photos included for some species.
• CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
• Natural Resource Projects Inventory - State database with information on resource management projects throughout California. Query by the species of interest.

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