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Rubus armeniacus - Focke

Common Name Himalayan blackberry
Family Grossulariaceae
USDA hardiness 5-10
Known Hazards None Known
Habitats Abundant in riparian zones, edges of wetlands and other areas that experience occasional flooding, such as irrigation channels, it colonizes disturbed areas such as recently burnt sites, along railway lines, roadsides and fence lines[1093 ]
Range W. Asia - Caucasus (Armenia)
Edibility Rating    (4 of 5)
Other Uses    (2 of 5)
Weed Potential Yes
Medicinal Rating    (2 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Well drained soil Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry


Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.
Rubus armeniacus Himalayan blackberry
Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International license.

 

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Summary

Himalayan Blackberry (R. armeniacus) is native to Transcaucasus to NW. Iran is highly adaptable to semi-arid conditions and can tolerate drought once established. It produces large, sweet blackberries and is widely grown for its fruit. Fruits are edible and used in jams, desserts, and beverages. Its dense growth makes it useful for erosion control, but it is highly invasive in many areas.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of shrub
Rubus armeniacus is an evergreen Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 4 m (13ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6 and is not frost tender. The flowers are pollinated by Insects. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers dry or moist soil and can tolerate drought.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

R. hedycarpus subsp. armeniacus (Focke) Focke. R. macrostemon f. armeniacus (Focke) Sprib. There has been considerable confusion over the cultivated blackberry ’Himalaya Giant’ identity. In the past, it has been assigned to both R. procerus and P.J.Müll. ex Boulay, and to R. discolor Weihe & Nees. Most, though not all, modern treatments now assign ‘Himalaya Giant’ to R. armeniacus Focke, with R. discolor and R. procerus both having been used erroneously to apply to ‘Himalaya Giant’. The true R. procerus P.J.Müll. ex Boulay has been reduced to synonymy of R. praecox Bertol., whilst R. discolor Weihe & Nees has been reduced to synonymy of R. ulmifolius Schott[K ].

Plant Habitats

Edible Uses

Fruit—raw or cooked[1093 ]. Fruits are edible and used in jams, desserts, and beverages. Large, sweet, and tasty[317 ]. The black, globose fruit can be 20mm in diameter[1093 ]. Depending on the species and local climate, berries are typically harvested in summer, from late spring to early autumn. Rubus species generally flower in late spring to early summer, depending on the specific species and environmental conditions.

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


The following uses are for Rubus plicatus and can also apply here[K ]. The root bark and the leaves are strongly astringent, depurative, diuretic, tonic and vulnerary[4, 7, 9, 165, 254 ]. They make an excellent remedy for dysentery, diarrhoea, haemorrhoids, cystitis, etc; the root is the more astringent[4, 238 ]. Externally, they are used as a gargle to treat sore throats, mouth ulcers and gum inflammations[238, 254 ]. A decoction of the leaves is useful as a gargle in treating thrush and also makes a good general mouthwash[7 ].

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Ideal for xeriscaping, rock gardens, and native plant gardens. Its aromatic foliage is often used in traditional medicine and for smudging. Agroforestry Uses: The plant can be grown along fences and trellises to create impenetrable barriers[1093 ]. Most, if not all, thicket-forming species of Rubus have good erosion control value. They usually grow satisfactorily on barren and infertile soils and invade and occupy eroded areas. They also quickly establish burns, old fields, and logged areas. They can provide excellent cover for wildlife and nesting sites for small birds by forming extensive and nearly impenetrable thickets. They are often natural pioneer species, paving the way for woodlands to develop. Still, they should only really be used within their native range to avoid any risks of them invading other habitats[1050, K ]. Other Uses: A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[168 ]. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Rubus species (including blackberries, raspberries, etc.) produce flowers rich in nectar and pollen, attracting bees, butterflies, and other pollinators. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Rubus species produce abundant berries, a significant food source for birds, mammals, and insects. Their dense thickets also provide shelter and nesting sites for small animals and birds. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Rubus species' dense, sprawling growth habit provides excellent cover and shelter for invertebrates, with leaf litter creating a ground habitat. They also offer overwintering sites in their stems and leaf litter. Pest Confuser (Smell): Rubus species are not typically known for emitting scents that confuse pests.

Special Uses

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Soil Texture: Thrives in light (sandy), medium, and heavy (clay) soils. Adaptable to a wide range of soil types, including fertile and disturbed soils. Soil Moisture: Prefers moderately moist soils but can tolerate dry conditions once established. It thrives in areas with consistent moisture availability. Drainage: Grows best in well-drained soils, but it can also tolerate poorly drained soils in wetter regions. Soil pH: Tolerates a wide range of pH levels, from slightly acidic to neutral. Saline Tolerance: Low tolerance for saline soils. It grows better in non-saline environments. Tolerance of Poor Soil: It can thrive in poor soils, including disturbed or nutrient-deficient areas. Light Requirements: Prefers full sun for optimal growth and fruit production but can tolerate partial shade. Height: Can grow up to 3 meters (10 feet) tall with a sprawling or climbing growth habit. The canes can spread extensively, forming dense thickets. Pollination: bees, flies, and other insects are attracted to its small, white to pale pink flowers. Temperature: Hardy in USDA zones 5–10. It is tolerant of frost and thrives in temperate climates with mild winters and wet summers. Drought Tolerance: Moderately drought-tolerant once established but grows more vigorously with regular moisture. Flowering and Fruiting: Produces small, fragrant white or pale pink flowers in spring to early summer, followed by large, sweet blackberries in mid-to-late summer. Wildlife: Provides food and habitat for wildlife. Birds, mammals, and insects consume the berries, while their thorny growth offers shelter for small animals. Pests and Diseases: Can be affected by rusts, aphids, and powdery mildew in some conditions. Dense thickets can harbour pests or diseases if not managed. Pruning: Prune regularly to control its spread and remove dead canes. Regular pruning improves fruit production and reduces overcrowding. Rubus armeniacus is a plant of temperate environments, from coastal estuaries to inland upland sites as high as 1,800 metres above sea level. It occurs mainly in areas with an average annual rainfall greater than 760mm, at altitudes from near sea level up to 1,800 metres[1093 ]. It is restricted to temperate and continental climates[1093 ]. The plant can tolerate short-lived temperatures falling as low as -18°c and summer temperatures occasionally rising as high as 37°c[1093 ]. It prefers a position in full sunlight but also grows well under light canopies, though it does not grow well under dense canopies[1093 ]. The plant tolerates a wide range of soil types, growing in fine, medium and coarse-textured soils that are acid to alkaline. It tolerates occasional flooding with both fresh and brackish water. A field study of the species' adaptive capacity to drought demonstrated that it is capable of both rapid water use when water is widely available and effective at water acquisition when it is in short supply[1093 ]. Rubus armeniacus was once the most commonly cultivated blackberry in Europe and was also widely grown in N. America. It is less grown at present, being largely replaced by Rubus laciniatus, which, although having a smaller and less sweet fruit, has the advantage of being easier to harvest (since it is free of spines) and having a firmer fruit that is easier to get to market in good condition[317 ]. The native range of this species is Transcaucasus to NW. Iran. It is a scrambling shrub and grows primarily in the temperate biome. It has been introduced into: Alabama, Austria, Belgium, California, Cape Provinces, Central European Russia, Colorado, Czechoslovakia, Denmark, France, Germany, Great Britain, Illinois, Ireland, Italy, Japan, Mexico Northwest, Netherlands, Northern Provinces, Norway, Poland, Swaziland, Sweden, Switzerland, and Yugoslavia [2-5].

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

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Plant Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month of stratification at about 3°c and is best sown as early as possible in the year. Prick out the seedlings when they are large enough to handle and grow in a cold frame. Plant them into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood in mid-summer in a frame[200 ]. Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn. Division in early spring or just before leaves fall in the autumn[200 ].

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Himalayan blackberry. Himalaya Giant. Armenian blackberry. Himalaya berry. Himalayan giant blackberry. French: ronce d'arménie. Czech Republic: ostružník sladkoplodý. Denmark: armensk brombær. Finland: armenian karhunvatukka. Germany: armenische Brombeere. armenische Brombeere. Garten brombeere. himalaya Brombeere. Italy: rovo a peli rossi. Netherlands: dijkviltbraam. Poland: jezyna kaukaska. Sweden: armeniskt björnbär.

Native Range

Native to: Iran, Transcaucasus.

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Himalayan blackberry is a highly invasive species in many regions, including the Pacific Northwest, Australia, and New Zealand. It forms dense thickets that outcompete native vegetation, reduce biodiversity, and are difficult to remove. This highly invasive species can form impenetrable thickets, which harm native flora and fauna. A PIER risk assessment gave this species a high-risk score 24 (PIER, 2015). In addition to this, it has been reported as highly invasive in Central Europe. It has been identified as one of the ten most problematic invasive plants or bryophytes in Sweden (Torbjorn et al., 2015) and noted as a threat to vegetation in Pannonian sandy habitats in Hungary. R. armeniacus can reproduced both vegetatively and by the production of seed, which can be transported to new locations after ingestion by birds. [1-8]. Control Measures: Control methods include regular mowing, herbicide application, and manual removal of roots. Grazing by livestock can also help manage growth.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status : Not Available

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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

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A special thanks to Ken Fern for some of the information used on this page.

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