Blackberry (Rubus fruticosus species aggregate)

Also known as: black berry, blackberries, black berries

Blackberry is a prickly scrambling shrub with dark coloured berries. It forms thickets and is one of Australia’s worst weeds.

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How does this weed affect you?

Blackberry is an invasive weed that quickly infests large areas and:

• forms dense thickets that restrict access for people and animals
• outcompetes pastures, reducing productivity
• is unpalatable to most livestock
• competes with native plants, reducing food and habitat for native animals
• increases fire risks
• provides food and harbour for pest animals.

The Rubus fruticosus aggregate

 Rubus fruticosus aggregate is the collective name for European blackberry species. In NSW it includes:

• Rubus anglocandicans
• Rubus leucostachys
• Rubus polyanthemus
• Rubus laciniatus
• Rubus ulmifolius var. ulmifolius
• Rubus ulmifolius var. anoplothyrsus
• Rubus vestitus
• Rubus leightonii
• Rubus phaeocarpus

What does it look like?

Blackberries in the Rubus fruticosus aggregate are erect shrubs 0.3–7 m tall, with tangled, prickly stems.

Leaves are:

• dark green on top and lighter green on the underside
• in clusters of 3–5 leaflets
• toothed along the edges
• covered in short, curved prickles on the veins on the underside
• often hairy on the underside with white hairs
• on short prickly stalks
• usually shed in winter in cooler climates
• alternate along the stem.

Flowers are:

• white or pink with 5 petals
• 2–3 cm in diameter
• in clusters at the ends of branches
• present from spring to summer.

Fruit are:

• shiny black berries when ripe
• green to red when unripe
• 1–3 cm in diameter
• present from summer to autumn.

Seeds are:

• light to dark brown
• triangular with deep irregular pits
• 2-3 mm long.

Stems (canes) are:

• up to 7 m long
• erect, arched or growing along the ground
• covered in sharp prickles (except for Rubus ulmifolius var. anoplothyrsus)
• green, purplish or red depending on how much light they get.

Prickles along the stems may be straight or curved and 3–12 mm long.

Roots are:

• woody
• perennial
• in a crown up to 20 cm wide
• with a main root up to 4 m deep
• with secondary roots that grow horizontally from the crown for 30 – 60 cm, then downwards with thin roots.

 

Where is it found?

In NSW, blackberries have been recorded growing in all regions except for the Western region. Blackberry infests about 9 million hectares of land in Australia. The Rubus fruticosus aggregate species in NSW grow in the following areas:

• Rubus anglocandicans is the most common species in wetter areas of the state
• Rubus leucostachys is widespread
• Rubus polyanthemus is in Kosciuszko National Park
• Rubus laciniatus is in wetter areas of the state
• Rubus ulmifolius var. ulmifolius is widespread
• Rubus ulmifolius var. anoplothyrsus may be present in NSW
• Rubus vestitus is uncommon
• Rubus leightonii is uncommon
• Rubus phaeocarpus grows in the Kowmung River area.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Blackberries grow best in temperate climates with warm summers, cool winters and at least 700 mm annual rainfall. Blackberries can grow regions with lower rainfall if they are in moist areas such as along riverbanks or irrigation channels. They can tolerate light, but not heavy shade.

Blackberries can grow on a variety of soil type including both acidic and alkaline soils. Infestations are more common in fertile clay loams than sandy soils.

Blackberries grow:

• in disturbed sites such as roadsides
• along the banks of rivers and creeks
• in pastures, especially neglected pastures
• on forest edges and where there are gaps in the canopy
• in woodlands
• in open forest plantations
• amongst vegetable crops
• in orchards

Maps and records

• Recorded presence of Blackberry during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
  These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.
  
  

How does it spread?

By seeds

Blackberries can produce up to 13,000 seeds per square metre.  Birds and animals feeding on the berries spread the seeds in their droppings. Seeds also spread by water and with soil.

By plant parts

When first year canes (primocanes) touch the ground, they sprout roots and become new 'daughter' plants. The next year, primocanes produce short canes with flowers and berries on the end.

References

Amor, R.L., Richardson, R.G. Pritchard, G.H. & Bruzzese, E. (1998). Rubus fruticosus L. agg. In F.D. Panaetta, R. H. Groves, & R.C.H. Shepherd (Eds.) The biology of Australian weeds. Volume 2 pp. 225-246. R.G. Richardson and F.J. Richardson Melbourne.

Audit, A. W. (2002). Australian Water Resources Assessment,(National Land and Water Resources Audit). Natural Heritage Trust, Canberra, Australian Capital Territory: Author.

Bruzzese, E., & Lane, M. (1996). Blackberry management handbook. In Blackberry Management Workshop (1993: Keith Turnbull Research Institute.. Dept. of Conservation and Natural Resources.

Harvey, K.J., McConnachie, A.J., Sullivan, P. Holtkamp, R., Officer, D. (2021). Biological control of weeds: a practitioner's guide for south east Australia. New South Wales Department of Primary Industries, Orange.

Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. RG and FJ Richardson.

NSW Department of Primary Industries Weed Management Unit (2009). Blackberry Control Manual: Management and control options for blackberry (Rubus spp.) in Australia. Department of Primary Industries, Victoria.

Page, A. R., & Lacey, K. L. (2006). Economic impact assessment of Australian weed biological control. CRC for Australian Weed Management.

Parsons, W.T., & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd edition. CSIRO publishing.

More information

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Control

Successful weed control requires follow up after the initial efforts. This means looking for and killing regrowth or new seedlings. Using a combination of control methods is usually more successful.

Physical removal

By hand

If there are just a few plants they can be dug out by hand. This is easiest after rain when the soil is moist. Remove as much of the roots as possible preferably to at least 45 cm deep. Plants can regrow from the roots. Check treated areas regularly and treat any regrowth. 

By machine

Machinery can be used to dig out blackberries if they not amongst native or other desired plants. Remove as much of the roots as possible. Do not leave plants in contact with the soil as the stems can regrow.  Check for regrowth and treat plants when they are 1 m tall. 

Slashing 

Slashing or mowing several times per year will restrict growth but not kill the plants. Slashing can be used to create access through large infestations before treating with herbicide.  Do not slash fruiting plants. If you cannot avoid this, thoroughly clean the slasher before moving to an uninfested area to avoid spreading seeds

Biological control

The leaf rust fungus Phragmidium violaceum is the only deliberately released biological control agent in Australia. It attacks the leaves, and infects flower buds and unripe fruit and stops blackberry producing daughter plants.

Phragmidium violaceum spores need dew, rain or high humidity to germinate. It is most effective when:

• most of the plant’s canopy is young leaves
• annual rainfall is greater than 750 mm
• rainfall is evenly spread over the year,
• January temperatures average about 20ºC.

The leaf rust fungus is widespread and does not need further distribution. 

Pasture management

Strong, actively growing pastures help prevent blackberry invasion.

Grazing

Goats prefer blackberry over improved pasture species. They can be useful to use in initial control of heavy infestations. Follow up control will be needed when goats are removed from the site. 

Cattle will not control blackberry infestations but can stop daughter plants from establishing.

Sheep may graze blackberry seedlings if there is no other palatable feed around.

Burning

Burning will not kill blackberry. However, burning can make infestations more accessible for follow-up treatment.

Herbicide control

Spraying

Spray healthy, actively growing plants with new leaves on the cane tips. Apply to both the outer and inner leaves. Plants less than one year old are easier to kill with herbicide. Well-established thickets may need more treatments.

Spraying can be effective on regrowth, after slashing or burning. Wait until plants have up to 1 m of regrowth before applying herbicide.

Cut stump

Cut the stems no more than 10 cm above the ground. For stems less than 20 mm in diameter,  apply a 3-5 mm thick layer of herbicide gel over the cut surface remaining on the plant. On stems of 20 mm diameter or larger, apply a 5 mm thick layer of gel. In the case of multi-stem plants treat at least 80 percent of stems including all main stems.

Stem injection with capsules

Capsules are injected into the stem's sapwood and then sealed. Use on actively growing plants.

Splatter gun

Splatter guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.

Granular herbicide soil application

Estimate the area within 30 cm beyond the drip zone (area under the canopy) of each tree or group of trees. Calculate the amount of herbicide required to cover area to be treated. Distribute the required dose uniformly over the soil within this area. 

Herbicide options

See Using herbicides for more information.

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Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 10–13 mL per 1 L of water
Comments: Spot spray when flowering to leaf fall. Use higher rate on old, dense infestations.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Hexazinone 250 g/L (Velpar® L)
Rate: Undiluted (4 mL per spot)
Comments: Spray bushes up to 1 m in height. Hexazinone will move downslope with water, read "Protections" on the label.
Withholding period: No stated withholding period.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Metsulfuron-methyl 300 g/kg + Aminopyralid 375 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 20 g per 100 L of water + Uptake Spraying Oil (500 mL/100 L) or Pulse Penetrant (200 mL/100 L)
Comments: Spray to thoroughly wet all foliage and canes. Ensure peripheral runners are sprayed. Follow-up applications over at least two seasons are essential for complete control. Due to widespread picking of blackberries by the public, it is not recommended to apply to bushes bearing mature fruit.
Withholding period: Pastures - Grazing for meat production or cutting for animal feed: Do not graze for 56 days after application. See label for further details
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors) + 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: High/Moderate

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Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 g per 100 L of water + Mineral Crop Oil (1 L per 100 L of water)
Comments: Spray actively growing plants. Thoroughly wet all foliage and canes and ensure peripheral runners are sprayed.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

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Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 1 g per 1 L of water + organosilicone penetrant (10 mL per 5 L of water)
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Thoroughly wet all foliage and canes. Commence application at flowering as this indicates good growing conditions.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

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Metsulfuron-methyl 75 g/kg + Aminopyralid 93.7 g/kg (Di-Bak AM)
Rate: I capsule for every 10 cm of circumference.
Comments: Capsule herbicide: See critical comments on the label for details on how to apply and seal the capsule into the sapwood layer of the tree trunk.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors) + 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: High/Moderate

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Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon® Extra)
Rate: 350 or 500 mL per 100 L water
Comments: Spray late spring to autumn. Use an adjuvant. Do not burn off, cut or clear blackberry for at least 6 months after spraying.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Picloram 20 g/kg (Tordon® Granules)
Rate: 35–45 g /m2
Comments: Apply granules over an area extending from main stem to 30 cm outside the drip line. Note: very mobile with water, read "protection of crops, natives and other non-target plants" on label.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut the stem close to the ground (10 cm or less). Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel onto stems less than 2 cm diameter. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 2 cm diameter.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 200 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 500 mL per 100 L of water plus an adjuvant 500mL/100L water
Comments: Spray actively growing plants from late spring to autumn. Always use an adjuvant.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 350 or 500 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spray late spring to autumn when bushes are actively growing. Use the higher rate on plants which have been damaged by livestock or insects.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 335 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Apply to actively growing bushes.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 170 mL per 100 L of water
Comments: Spray actively growing plants late spring to early autumn. Do not use in dry conditions.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed. If use is off-label check permit.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 280 mL per 10 L of water
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Good control will be achieved, similar to high volume application, where bush size enables good coverage of entire bush. The use of marking agent is recommended.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed. If use is off-label check permit.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

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Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
All of NSW	Prohibition on certain dealings Must not be imported into the state, sold, bartered, exchanged or offered for sale. All species in the Rubus fruiticosus species aggregate have this requirement, except for the varietals Black Satin, Chehalem, Chester Thornless, Dirksen Thornless, Loch Ness, Murrindindi, Silvan, Smooth Stem, and Thornfree
Central Tablelands	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Central West The exclusion zone is defined as the whole of region except the core infestation which is defined as southeast of Wellington and Warrumbungle Shire Council.	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Containment) Whole of region: Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. Within exclusion zone: Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Within core infestation: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Hunter	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Murray	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
North West all lands in the region, except the core infestation area comprising the: Gwydir Shire Council, Liverpool Plains Shire Council, Tamworth Regional Council.	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Containment) Whole of region: Land managers mitigate the risk of new weeds being introduced to their land. Within exclusion zone: Land managers should eradicate the plant from the land and keep the land free of the plant. A person should not deal with the plant, where dealings include but are not limited to buying, selling, growing, moving, carrying or releasing the plant. Notify local control authority if found. Within core infestation: Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Northern Tablelands	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

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Reviewed 2026