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European(?) Blackberries #610358

Asked January 13, 2020, 5:29 PM EST

I live on the north side of Mt. Scott in outer east Portland, at about 650 feet elevation. I walk down the street to harvest Himalayan blackberries, and I have cultivated native Pacific blackberries by weaving those vines through my wire fence out back (my backyard borders maple-tree woods). While hiking through these woods, I've come upon a berry that looks like a blackberry, but it isn't Himalayan or Pacific -- its berries ripen much later than Himalayan, their vines are reddish and not nearly as stout as Himalayan, and the leaves have sawtooth edges. I haven't seen any other plant like this in my hikes through these woods. The plant is confined to an area of ten feet in diameter, and sits on the southern edge of the woods and adjacent open space. My Google search suggests it is a European blackberry. Can you tell me what this plant is, and why it hasn't proliferated like Himalayan or Pacific blackberries? (I've attached photos.) Much appreciated, Gary

Multnomah County Oregon

Expert Response

Thank you for your question, Gary. We believe this to be a Rubus laciniatus, which is described here: https://www.nwcb.wa.gov/weeds/evergreen-blackberry
I believe the one you were suggesting is Rubus fruticosus, described here:  https://www.invasiveplantatlas.org/subject.html?sub=4573

So, both are invasive, but may be unable to compete with the Himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) described here:  https://www.kingcounty.gov/services/environment/animals-and-plants/noxious-weeds/weed-identification...


An Ask Extension Expert Replied January 14, 2020, 2:45 PM EST

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