Eastern Forest Threat Center - Cutleaf Blackberry

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Cutleaf blackberry foliage

Cutleaf blackberry foliage

Utah State University Archive, Bugwood.org

Cutleaf Blackberry
Rubus laciniatus

Cutleaf blackberry, native to Europe, has become a serious weed in sunny natural ecosystems.

Keywords: Rosaceae, evergreen, shrub, spreading, prickles, berries; Common names: evergreen blackberry, cutleaf bramble, laciniate bramble, parsley-leaf bramble

Distribution Map Distribution Source Image

Threat Description

Cutleaf blackberry is a spreading evergreen shrub in the rose family that grows 2 to 6 ft. in height. Stems are erect when young, but arch to touch the ground as they grow and root at the nodes. Stems are heavily ribbed, purplish-red, and usually prickly or bristly. New stems (canes) are produced each year and usually die after flowering and fruiting in the second year. Leaves are alternate and palmately compound with 3 to 5 highly lacerated leaflets. The leaves are green to greenish-red above and paler below and armed with prickles. White flowers appear from late spring to early summer. Flowers are about 1 in. across, borne in clusters, and are monoecious (male and female parts on the same flower). Juicy, edible, black berries about 1 in. long are produced in tight clusters. Plants reproduce by seed and stems rooting when in contact with the soil. Cutleaf blackberry requires full sun and dry soil and is found in woodland edges, fence rows, and clearings. This aggressive shrub forms dense prickly thickets or brambles that take up large amounts of space.