Rubus phoenicolasius (Maxim) Rubus phoenicolasius, commonly known as Japanese wineberry is native to temperate Asia; it is widely naturalised in temperate regions of the world. A vigorous shrub, it can form dense thickets covering large areas in invaded habitats displacing native plants. It is found growing in forests, wood, riparian areas, grasslands R. phoenicolasius was introduced into the USA in 1890 as breedingand fields. stock for new raspberry and blackberry cultivars, but escaped from cultivation and is listed as invasive in Maryland, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, North Carolina and West Virginia. It is advisable not to plant Japanese wineberry unless it can be contained to prevent unintentional spread. A study (Gorchov et al 2011) that investigated the role of R. phoenicolasius in a deciduous forest in Maryland, USA found thatlocalized R. phoenicolasius disturbance, requiresspecifically disturbances treefalls, suchin the as invasiontreefalls toof establish in forests. However, it was found that established plants can survive under canopy closure leading to stand-wide invasion. The authors observe that managers can prevent invasion by Photo credit: Photo: Wikimedia Commons (User: Qwert1234) monitoring large gaps for new invasions every three years. removed. It is recommended that branches with berries should be Plants can be removed by hand pulling or mechanically if the bagged but the remaining plant material can be left to compost. soil is moist and soft and the roots and any cane fragments are (Spencer, 2009). Reference: Gorchov,L. David, Emily Thompson,Jay O’Neill,Dennis Whigam and Douglas A. Noe, 2011. Treefall gaps required for establishment, but not survival, of invasive Rubus phoenicolasius in deciduous forest, Maryland, USA Spencer, R. Neal, 2009. Factsheet Wineberry: Rubus phoenicolasius Maxim Rose family (Rosaceae) Plant Conservation Alliance, Alien Plant Working Group link[ ] Click here to view archives of previous weeks’ species.