Plants are dioecious, with staminate and pistillate flowers on separate plants (Clarke). There are 5 broad reflexed sepals; 5 broad white or pinkish petals, many stamens or many pistils. The cone-shaped receptacle is covered with pistils each of which becomes fleshy at maturity, and as a group, form the fruit, an edible blackberry. Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-18-10. © Joan Avise

Himalayan Blackberry

Rubus armeniacus

Exotic species on the list of prime candidates for Early Detection and Rapid Response action. (California Native Plant Society, Orange County Chapter)

An EXOTIC introduced vine-like perennial shrub, native to southwest Asia (Wikipedia). It is uncommon in riparian woodlands near urban areas of Huntington Beach (Roberts).  Flowering May-August, later than the native blackberry, R. ursinus,  which blooms from Mar-May. Compared to R. ursinus, this species has coarser stems and stouter wider-based prickles (straight or curved).  This has become the dominant species in Oregon and Washington (Clarke). It is the preferred species for pies (Nancy Dale).

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Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-19-09. © Joan Avise
Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 5-25-10. © Joan Avise

Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-18-10. © Joan Avise
Evergreen leaves have 3-5 leaflets, coarsely saw-toothed.  Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-18-10. © Joan Avise

Huntington Central Park, Huntington Beach, CA. 4-19-09. © Joan Avise
Huntington Central Park, 8-1-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Huntington Central Park, 8-1-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Huntington Central Park, 8-1-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Huntington Central Park, 8-1-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Huntington Central Park, 8-1-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.
Small Rsvr., SE Moulton and Ridge Route, L. Hills, 8-4-13. © Ron Vanderhoff.

Hunt. Central Park, E side, 7-28-16. © Ron Vanderhoff.