Blackberry

• Woody perennial shrub with arched, thorny, reddish purple stems up to 7m long.
• Leaves are dark green on upper side, whitish underneath, with 3–5 separate leaflets.
• Flowers are white or pink, 2–3cm in diameter, in clusters at ends of branches.
• Fruit is 1–3cm in diameter, changes colour from green to red to black as it ripens.
• Fruit is succulent and edible, consisting of numerous fleshy segments each containing 1 seed.
• Seeds are light to dark brown, oval, 2–3mm long.

• Prefers temperate climate.

• Found in and around Stanthorpe, Warwick, Killarney, Toowoomba and Blackall Range.

• Seeds germinate in spring.
• Flowers November–January.
• Fruit appears January–March.

Environmental

• Invades native bushland, disturbed areas, banks of watercourses, and roadsides.
• Forms dense canopy that out-competes most plants.
• Provides food and shelter for rabbits and foxes.

Economic

• Affects pasture and forestry.

Social

• Dead material causes fire hazards.

• Spread by birds and animals on fur and through faeces.
• Also spread by water along gullies, creeks and rivers, and by movement of soil.
• Stems or canes can send out roots where they touch ground, forming daughter plants.
• Lateral roots can produce suckers, and new plants can grow from root or cane cuttings.

• Find out how farmers can prevent weed spread.
• Find out how gardeners and outdoor enthusiasts can prevent weed spread.

Physical control

• Maintain dense cover or pasture to prevent blackberry seedlings from establishing.
• For isolated plants, physically remove crown and root system.

Mechanical control

• Slash, cultivate and burn where appropriate, then plant competitive pastures or native vegetation.

Herbicide control

• Follow mechanical control with herbicide application. Using mechanical control initially will reduce herbicide use and improve herbicide uptake.

Read the blackberry fact sheet (PDF, 2.2MB) for herbicide control and application rates.

Biological control

• A rust fungus, Phragmidium violaceum, has been released and can attack some blackberry cultivars.
• The fungus will not kill blackberry, but will cause defoliation, reducing the plant's spread. Rust alone cannot be relied on for adequate control.

• Blackberry is a category 3 restricted invasive plant under the Biosecurity Act 2014.
• You must not give away, sell, or release into the environment. Penalties may apply.
• You must take all reasonable and practical measures to minimise the biosecurity risks associated with dealing with blackberry under your control. This is called a general biosecurity obligation (GBO).
• At a local level, each local government agency must have a biosecurity plan that covers invasive plants and animals in its area. This plan may include actions to be taken on blackberry. Some of these actions may be required under local laws. Contact your local council for more information.