The genus Rubus, (especially the blackberries, which are often loosely referred to as Rubus fruticosus agg.) presents some of the most difficult taxonomic problems. This is partly due to the frequency of polyploidy; also to the frequent occurrence of hybridization; and also due to apomixis, where minor differences between plants are preserved because seedlings are genetically identical to their parent. As a result, differences of opinion on the number of species to be recognized from a given region can vary tremendously (for example, a treatment by M. L. Fernald[] in 1950 recognized 205 species for the northern half of the eastern United States plus parts of southeastern Canada, whilst H. A. Gleason and A. Cronquist in 1991 recognized only 25)[]. Where possible, a relatively conservative approach is taken here[].

Common Name: Blackberry

General Information

Rubus leucostachys is a semi-deciduous shrub, producing each year a cluster of spreading or arching, prickly, biennial stems from a woody rootstock; the plant can grow up to 3 metres tall when growing through other vegetation, but is usually lower-growing. The stems only produce leaves, and do not flower, in their first year of growth, forming flowering branches in their second year and then dying after fruiting. The plant roots where shoot tips touch the ground, forming new plants and developing into a dense thicket[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food. It is sometimes cultivated for its fruit.
Introduced into Australia for its edible fruit, the plant has escaped from cultivation and become naturalized in southeastern parts of the country. It has become a serious weed of agriculture, forestry and the environment[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

,

Range

Western Europe - Britain

Habitat

Woods[]. Naturalized in grasslands and forests in eastern Australia.

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Edibility Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Semi-deciduous Shrub
Height	1.50 m
Pollinators	Insects
Cultivation Status	Wild

Cultivation Details

Easily grown in a good well-drained loamy soil in sun or semi-shade[, , ].
This species is very closely related to Rubus adscitus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Sweet and insipid[, ]. The globose fruit is black when fully ripe[].

Medicinal

None known

Other Uses

A purple to dull blue dye is obtained from the fruit[].

Propagation

Seed - requires stratification and is best sown in early autumn in a cold frame. Stored seed requires one month 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 on in a cold frame. Plant them out into their permanent positions in late spring of the following year.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood, mid summer in a frame[].
Tip layering in July. Plant out in autumn.
Division in early spring or just before leaf-fall in the autumn[].