Common Name: Highbush Blackberry
Scientific Name: Rubus argutus
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Wetland Plant Status: Facultative
Ecology & Description Highbush blackberry (also known as sawtooth blackberry or sharp-toothed blackberry) is the most commonly occurring species of blackberry in the Southeastern United States. The leaves of highbush blackberry are alternate, thin and have short, soft hairs on the underside. The stem has broad-based, flattened hook thorns. Flowers bloom from April to June. They are white, have five petals, are 2-2½ cm long, and have numerous stamens and pistils. The fruit (which is an aggregate fruit, forming from many pistils) are 1-2½ cm long and 1- 1½ cm wide. They turn from red to dark blue-black as they mature. Highbush blackberry is able to spread through seed dispersal via animals and rhizomes.
Habitat This species does well on fertile soils that receive at least 30” of rainfall annually. It can be found in shrublands, forests, forest plantations, along streams, and on grazing land. Highbush blackberry is a common early invader of recently harvested or thinned forests. Seedlings require areas with full or partial sun.
Distribution This plant ranges from Texas to central Florida, north to Maryland, and west to Kansas.
Native/Invasive Status Highbush blackberry is a native plant species in the Southeastern, East, and New England regions of the United States. Because of its growth behavior, it can be invasive. It is considered a noxious weed in Hawaii.
Wildlife Uses Highbush blackberry, along with other Rubus sp., is considered one of the most important groups of plants for wildlife. Since blackberry is so easily found around the country it is a large food source for many different species of animals in the United States from April through August. Blackberries are a fairly good source of iron, vitamin C, and antioxidants. The leaves are an important browse for white-tailed deer (Odocoileus virginianus) and eastern cottontails (Sylvilagus floridanus). Thickets of blackberry can also provide important escape cover.
Management & Control Techniques The conservation of blackberry is not highly sought after in the United States because it is highly invasive. Since the blackberry plant is so invasive it is considered a serious threat to the environment. There are two main reasons why blackberry is considered an environmental threat. Reason one being that blackberry can outcompete and ultimately eliminate native vegetation by blocking the other vegetation from getting sunlight. The reason that blackberry invades other native species so easily is due to its ability to rapidly grow and the fact that blackberry has the ability to reproduce in various ways. The second reason why blackberry is considered an environmental threat is because it is a preferred food for many pest species like raccoons (Procyon lotor) and other similar species. It can also provide shelter for many of the same pest species that eat it. If highbush blackberry should begin to become invasive in an area, manual removal, mechanical removal, chemical treatments, or combinations of these methods can be used to control the plant. Manual and mechanical control, however, can be time consuming, especially with the development of rhizomes. In regards to chemical treatments, foliar applications of 2% Roundup or Escort at 28 g/l are most effective. Non-target plants should be avoided to prevent unwanted vegetation loss.
References Driscoll Strawberry Associates. 2015. Nutrition and Health: Blackberry Nutrition. Online.
This document was authored by Chantry Simpson, School of Forestry, Louisiana Tech University, April 2015.