Blackberry Season
- kc dyer
- Aug 14
- 1 min read
Invasive species unfortunately delicious
The Himalayan blackberry (Armenian blackberry) is an invasive species in British Columbia, and can be found throughout the Village.
It's an opportunistic plant that moves into pastures, roadsides, stream banks and even forests. Producing 7–13,000 seeds per square metre, it spreads with ease, crowding out local plants.
The berries are lush and delicious to both humans and wildlife. In past years, bears have been spied napping in some of the larger patches around the Village, waking every once in a while to gather a few more delicious mouthfuls.
Native to Armenia and Iran, the Invasive Species Council of BC says this plant is designated as a regional containment/control species, which means that it is already established in the region, and requires management to prevent spreading.
You can learn more about managing Himalayan blackberry HERE.
As alternatives, or to replant an area that you have cleared of Himalayan blackberry, they suggest:
Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana)
Thimbleberry (Rubus parviflorus)
Marionberry or Boysenberry (Rubus ‘Marion’ or ‘Boysen’)
Red raspberry (Rubus idaeus hybrids)
Black huckleberry (Vaccinium membranaceum)
Where do you stand when it comes to the Himalayan blackberry?
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