Family: Rosaceae

Common name: Himalayan blackberry

E-flora BC: https://linnet.geog.ubc.ca/Atlas/Atlas.aspx?sciname=Rubus%20armeniacus

Wikipedia: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_bifrons https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rubus_armeniacus

The accepted scientific name for Himalayan blackberry is Rubus bifrons. However, you will often find it referred to as R. armeniacus, or R. discolor. We will stick with the name R. bifrons on this site.

Himalayan blackberry is a problematic invasive species in our area. It grows fast, extending strong thorny branches that climb on and smother other vegetation. People enjoy the berries in late summer, which has probably contributed to its establishment, and unwillingness to control its spread. Birds and other animals eat the fruit and distribute the seeds widely.

A dense stand of Himalayan blackberry on the VIU Nanaimo campus.
On vegetative (non-reproductive) stems of Himalayan blackberry, the compound leaves have five leaflets. Photo credit: Staffan Lindgren
Flower-bearing stems tend to have trifoliate leaves, i.e. three leaflets per compound leaf. Photo credit: Lynda Stevens
The young stems are often ridged as shown in this photo. Note the 5-foliate leaves. Photo credit: Staffan Lindgren
Both stem and leaves of Himalayan blackberry can take on a red hue when exposed to strong sun. Note the large, curved prickles (thorns) along the stem. The prickles help Himalayan blackberry to grasp onto and climb over other plants. Photo credit: Barbara Wilson via iNaturalist
Himalayan blackberry flowers continuously from spring through late summer. Flower color ranges from white to light pink. Note the characteristic floral traits of the family Rosaceae – 5 petals and many stamens. Photo credit: Lynda Stevens
Dark purple raspberry-like fruits ripen in late summer. Photo credit: Barbara Wilson via iNaturalist

Compare and contrast Himalayan blackberry (R. bifrons) to the three native Rubus species listed on this site: thimbleberry (R. parviflorus), salmonberry (R. spectabilis) and trailing blackberry (R. ursinus). Focus on leaf-shape and number of leaflets per leaf, growth habit (trailing or upright), presence or absence of prickles on stem.