logo Wild Flower Web
Back

Click here to search for a different flower

Search

[?]

Open the Advanced Search

Himalayan Blackberry

Rubus armeniacus

Please keep in mind that it is illegal to uproot a plant without the landowner's consent and care should be taken at all times not to damage wild plants. Wild plants should never be picked for pleasure and some plants are protected by law.
For more information please download the BSBI Code of Conduct PDF document.

Contents

Plant Profile

Flowering Months:
JAN  FEB  MAR  APR  MAY  JUN  JUL  AUG  SEP  OCT  NOV  DEC
Order:
Rosales
Family:
Rosaceae (Rose)
Also in this family:
Acute Leaf-lobed Lady's-mantle, Alpine Cinquefoil, Alpine Lady's-mantle, Ampfield Cotoneaster, Arran Service Tree, Arran Whitebeam, Barren Strawberry, Bastard Agrimony, Bastard Service Tree, Bearberry Cotoneaster, Bird Cherry, Blackthorn, Bloody Whitebeam, Bramble, Bristol Whitebeam, Broad-leaved Whitebeam, Broadtooth Lady's-mantle, Bronze Pirri-pirri-bur, Bullace Plum, Bullate Cotoneaster, Burnet Rose, Catacol Whitebeam, Caucasian Lady's-mantle, Cheddar Whitebeam, Cherry Laurel, Cherry Plum, Chinese Photinia, Cloudberry, Clustered Lady's-mantle, Common Agrimony, Common Hawthorn, Common Lady's-mantle, Common Medlar, Common Ninebark, Common Whitebeam, Crab Apple, Creeping Chinese Bramble, Creeping Cinquefoil, Crimean Lady's-mantle, Cultivated Apple, Cultivated Pear, Cut-leaved Blackberry, Damson, Devon Whitebeam, Dewberry, Diel's Cotoneaster, Dog Rose, Doward Whitebeam, Dropwort, Elm-leaved Bramble, English Whitebeam, Entire-leaved Cotoneaster, False Salmonberry, Field Rose, Firethorn, Fodder Burnet, Fragrant Agrimony, Franchet's Cotoneaster, Garden Lady's-mantle, Garden Strawberry, Giant Meadowsweet, Glaucous Dog Rose, Goatsbeard Spiraea, Gough's Rock Whitebeam, Great Burnet, Greengage Plum, Grey-leaved Whitebeam, Hairless Lady's-mantle, Hairy Lady's-mantle, Hautbois Strawberry, Himalayan Cotoneaster, Himalayan Whitebeam, Hoary Cinquefoil, Hollyberry Cotoneaster, Hupeh Rowan, Hybrid Cinquefoil, Hybrid Geum, Irish Whitebeam, Japanese Cherry, Japanese Quince, Japanese Rose, Jew's Mallow, Juneberry, Lancaster Whitebeam, Late Cotoneaster, Least Lady's-mantle, Least Whitebeam, Leigh Woods Whitebeam, Ley's Whitebeam, Liljefor's Whitebeam, Littleleaf Cotoneaster, Llangollen Whitebeam, Llanthony Whitebeam, Lleyn Cotoneaster, Loganberry, Many-flowered Rose, Margaret's Whitebeam, Marsh Cinquefoil, Meadowsweet, Midland Hawthorn, Mougeot's Whitebeam, Mountain Ash, Mountain Avens, Mountain Sibbaldia, Moupin's Cotoneaster, No Parking Whitebeam, Ocean Spray, Orange Whitebeam, Pale Bridewort, Pale Lady's-mantle, Parsley Piert, Pirri-pirri-bur, Plymouth Pear, Portuguese Laurel, Purple-flowered Raspberry, Quince, Raspberry, Rock Cinquefoil, Rock Lady's-mantle, Rock Whitebeam, Round-leaved Dog Rose, Round-leaved Whitebeam, Rum Cherry, Russian Cinquefoil, Salad Burnet, Sargent's Rowan, Scannell's Whitebeam, Service Tree, Sharp-toothed Whitebeam, Sherard's Downy Rose, Shining Lady's-mantle, Ship Rock Whitebeam, Short-styled Rose, Shrubby Cinquefoil, Silver Lady's-mantle, Silverweed, Slender Parsley Piert, Slender-spined Bramble, Small-flowered Sweetbriar, Small-leaved Sweetbriar, Soft Downy Rose, Somerset Whitebeam, Sorbaria, Sour Cherry, Southern Downy Rose, Southern Lady's-mantle, Spineless Acaena, Spring Cinquefoil, St. Lucie's Cherry, Steeplebush, Stern's Cotoneaster, Stirton's Whitebeam, Stone Bramble, Sulphur Cinquefoil, Swedish Service Tree, Swedish Whitebeam, Sweet Briar, Symond's Yat Whitebeam, Tengyueh Cotoneaster, Thimbleberry, Thin-leaved Whitebeam, Tibetan Cotoneaster, Tormentil, Trailing Tormentil, Tree Cotoneaster, Trefoil Cinquefoil, Twin-cliffs Whitebeam, Two-spined Acaena, Wall Cotoneaster, Water Avens, Waterer's Cotoneaster, Waxy Lady's-mantle, Welsh Cotoneaster, Welsh Whitebeam, White Burnet, White's Whitebeam, White-stemmed Bramble, Wild Cherry, Wild Pear, Wild Plum, Wild Service Tree, Wild Strawberry, Willmott's Whitebeam, Willow-leaved Bridewort, Willow-leaved Cotoneaster, Wineberry, Wood Avens, Wye Whitebeam, Yellow-flowered Strawberry
Type:
Deciduous shrub
Life Cycle:
Perennial
Maximum Size:
10 metres long
Habitats:
Gardens, hedgerows, roadsides, scrub, wasteland.

Flower:
֍
Pink, 5 petals
 
Pale pink or white flowers, appearing together in clusters. Petals are rounded. Stamens are long. Pollinated by insects.
Fruit:
The fruit is a black berry. The seeds ripen in August and September.
Leaves:
The leaves are 3 to 5 lobed and have toothed margins. The undersides of the leaves are white. The upper surfaces are dark green. Thorny stems.
Other Names:
Armenian blackberry, Giant Blackberry, Himalayan Giant Blackberry.
Frequency (UK):
Occasionally seen  

Similar Species

Bramble
Bramble

Elm-leaved Bramble
Elm-leaved Bramble

Slender-spined Bramble

Other Information

Summary

Rubus armeniacus, also known as Himalayan blackberry or Armenian blackberry, is a perennial shrub that is native to Asia. It is a member of the Rosaceae family and is closely related to raspberries and other blackberries. The plant is known for its large, deeply lobed leaves and clusters of small, white or pink flowers. It produces blackberries that are edible and are known for their sweet taste and juicy texture. R. armeniacus is a fast-growing, high-yielding plant that is commonly grown for its fruit, but it is also used for erosion control and as an ornamental plant in gardens. The plant is adaptable and can tolerate a wide range of soil types, but it prefers moist, well-drained soils and full sun. It is often considered invasive in some areas because it can spread rapidly and displace native plant species.

Blog

The Himalayan blackberry, also known as Rubus armeniacus, is a deciduous shrub that is native to Asia and is widely cultivated in many parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and Australia. The plant is prized for its juicy, sweet berries, but it is also known for its invasive nature and its ability to grow in a wide range of environments.

One of the key characteristics of the Himalayan blackberry is its hardiness. This shrub can grow in a variety of soil types and can tolerate drought, heat, and cold. In addition, it has an extensive root system that allows it to spread rapidly and outcompete other plants. This has made the Himalayan blackberry a notorious invasive species in many parts of the world, where it can quickly take over large areas of land and displace native flora.

Despite its invasive nature, the Himalayan blackberry is also a highly nutritious plant. The berries are a good source of vitamins C and K, as well as dietary fiber and antioxidants. They also contain high levels of polyphenols, which have been shown to have anti-inflammatory and anti-cancer properties.

The Himalayan blackberry can be harvested from June to September, depending on the climate and location. The berries are best eaten fresh, but they can also be used to make jams, jellies, syrups, and wines. The leaves of the plant can also be dried and used to make tea, and the root can be used in traditional medicine to treat various ailments, such as diarrhea and menstrual cramps.

The Himalayan blackberry is a versatile plant that can be used for a variety of purposes. For example, it can be used for hedgerows, erosion control, or as a living fence. The shrub is also a great source of food and shelter for wildlife, including birds, mammals, and insects. This makes it a valuable addition to any wildlife garden or park.

In addition to its value as a food source, the Himalayan blackberry has also been used in traditional medicine for centuries. The leaves, roots, and berries of the plant have been used to treat a variety of ailments, including infections, inflammation, and digestive problems. Some studies have also shown that the antioxidants and polyphenols found in the berries of the Himalayan blackberry can help to lower cholesterol levels and reduce the risk of heart disease.

Despite its many benefits, the Himalayan blackberry can also pose a threat to the environment. The plant is highly invasive and can quickly spread, displacing native vegetation and altering the balance of local ecosystems. To mitigate its impact, it is important to take steps to control its spread, such as removing unwanted plants and planting native species that are better adapted to the local environment.

The Himalayan blackberry is also a popular choice for home gardening. The shrub is easy to grow, and it is a fast-growing plant that can quickly produce a large crop of juicy, sweet berries. If you are interested in growing the Himalayan blackberry, here are a few tips to help you get started:

  1. Choose the right location: The Himalayan blackberry prefers a sunny location, but it can also grow in partial shade. The plant is also drought-tolerant, so it can be grown in areas with low rainfall.

  2. Plant in well-drained soil: The Himalayan blackberry requires well-drained soil, and it is important to avoid planting it in areas that are prone to standing water.

  3. Prune regularly: Regular pruning is essential to keep the Himalayan blackberry under control and to encourage healthy growth. The plant should be pruned in late winter or early spring, before new growth begins.

  4. Train the plants: Training the Himalayan blackberry to grow along a trellis or a fence can help to keep the plant under control and to make it easier to harvest the berries.

  5. Control the spread: As mentioned earlier, the Himalayan blackberry is an invasive species and can quickly spread if not kept under control. Regular removal of unwanted shoots and suckers can help to limit the plant's spread.

The Himalayan blackberry is a delicious and nutritious plant that is easy to grow and harvest. Whether you are looking for a new addition to your garden or you want to enjoy its sweet, juicy berries, the Himalayan blackberry is definitely worth considering. Just be sure to be mindful of its invasive nature, and take steps to control its spread, so that you can enjoy all of its benefits without disrupting the natural balance of your local ecosystem.