Several speciesof plant are grouped under Rubus fruticosusname because they are difficult to identify. All have similar growth habits and floral parts.

R. cissburiensos
R. laciniatus
R. polyanthemus
R. procerus
R. rosaceus
R. selmeri
R. ulmifolius
R. vestitus

Cultivars
'Himalayan Giant'
This plant is very vigorous with dark medium size fruit and a long fruiting period.

'Loch Ness'
This plant forms an erect habit with spineless stems.

Weed Potential
As a weedBlackberry is highly invasive appearing in regions with an annual rainfall of over 600mm (2ft) and infests forests, woodlands, pastures, gullies or along water courses and disturbed soil. It forms dense thicket that reduces light inhibiting the regeneration of native tree or shrub seedlings and prevents ground flora from growing.

There are various species and sub species that grow in various regions that are seasonally moist and can tolerate peridotic inundation. During the cooler months the plant may be deciduous and it can tolerate sunny or shaded positions.

It is fast growing producing cane-like stems up to 7m (21ft) long in one season and may layer where they touch the ground forming plantlets. In the second year abundant fruit is produced although the viability is less than 10% after which the stem dies off. The seeds are dispersed by birds, animals or water and in soil or garden waste. The plant can also reproduce by suckering and self layering.

Controlmethods include physically digging out seedlings and small plants when the soil is moist ensuring that the roots are removed. Fruiting branches should be bagged and destroyed. Plants can be cut and painted on the canes or drilled and injected at the crown with a non-selective herbicide during spring.

Young plants or seedlings may be sprayed with a non-selective herbicide added by a surfactant to penetrate the leaf surface during spring, while the plant is actively growing but follow up spraying will be required.


In Australia Rubus fruticosushas been declarednoxious. It can reproduce from seed, cuttings, parts or the root system and from any part of the plant that touches the ground. It is a weed in agriculture and bushland areas being spread mainly by birds and foxes. They are commonly a home for rabbits and add to the fuel for bushfires.