Himalaya blackberry is an introduced, perennial, spreading shrub.
Jasmine's Observation: Of the Himalayan Blackberries on a busy street in Bellingham and also in a more discreet alley, several friends and I were able to gorge ourselves while leaving enough for others. I remember feeling the warm air--it was the end of October and I was comfortable in a T-shirt. The second fruiting was significantly less abundant than the first summer harvest, but this strikes me as unusual. I cannot remember harvesting twice in my lifetime, though I would love to hear some elders' perspectives. I am interested to see if there are more Himalayan Blackberries on those bushes next year, which to me would indicate increasingly favorable conditions for the species.
Resource:
Natural Resources Conservation Service (Stannard, M.E. 2014) Plant guide for Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus amereniacus). – "Himalayan blackberry is a bit of a misnomer because it isn’t even from the Himalayas. Himalayan blackberry originates from the Armenia region, hence its scientific name, Rubus armeniacus. Himalayan blackberry has become part of the Pacific Northwest rural culture. Locals collect berries each year and many small businesses incorporate ‘blackberry’ into their business names." Source:
Reference
- USDA-Natural* Resources Conservation Service, Plant Materials *Center, Pullman, Washington 99164-6211.
- Starr, Forest, Starr, Kim. (Photographer). (2005,November). Rubus armeniacus (syn. R. discolor), fruit. Maui, Hawaii: Haleakala Ranch.
- Cyborgsuzy (Photographer). (2007, June). European honey bee (Apis mellifera) on a himalayan blackberry (Rubus armeniacus) flower in Western Oregon: Wikipedia.
