Rubus armeniacus

Rubus armeniacus_Hilamalaya blackberry_ JM Di Tomaso
Photo: Joseph DiTomaso

Synonyms: Rubus discolor Weihe & Nees., Rubus procerus Muller, Rubus grabowskii Weihe ex Gunther et al., Rubus praecox Bertol.

Common names: Himalayan blackberry

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 Rating: High?

CDFA Rating: None?

Assessment(s)

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.

Species ID Card

Invasive Species ID Card - To support field identification of early detection species, Cal-IPC has designed a set of Species ID cards that can be downloaded, printed double-sided, and trimmed to size.

Weed Management Notes

  • Management Notes - Information on management techniques and effectiveness from the University of California Cooperative Extension’s Weed Research & Information Center.

Cal-IPC Newsletter Articles

Cal-IPC Symposium Presentations

Presentations are linked where available. Where a presentation is not available, find more information by reading the abstract in the Cal-IPC Symposia Archive.

Other Rubus armeniacus Information

  • Bugwood - National database from the Center for Invasive Species and Ecosystem Health at the University of Georgia.
  • CalPhotos - Images of plants taken mostly in California.
  • Calflora - Distribution map and records of this species in California.
  • CalWeedMapper - Distribution map of this species in California with ability to determine regional priorities.
  • EDDMapS - Distribution of this species in North America.
  • Jepson Interchange - Information on this plant's taxonomy, biology, and distribution from UC Berkeley's Jepson Herbarium.
  • USDA PLANTS Database - Information on identification and distribution, with links to websites in individual states.
  • Additional photos

    Rubus armeniacus_leaflets (upper and underside)_copyright2013_NealKramer
    Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry) leaflets (upper and underside). Photo: &#169 2013 Neal Kramer
    Rubus armeniacus_leaves, stems and thorns_copyright2011_NealKramer
    Rubus armeniacus (Himalayan blackberry) leaves, stems, and thorns. Photo: &#169 2011 Neal Kramer