Family: Rosaceae

A noxious weed that invades forests, open fields, and freshwater habitats. It is a BIISC target species for eradication.

Description and Dispersal:

• A shrub producing numerous canes.
  
• Thorns and hairs cover the plant
  
• Leaves are round and serrated.
  
• White flowers have 5 petals
  
• Reproduces vegetatively and by seed.

High Risk Traits:

• Grows in subtropical to temperate climates
  
• Naturalized on Hawaii and Kauai islands
  
• A disturbance weed with potential negative impacts to natural areas
  
• Other Rubus species have become invasive weeds
  
• Stems and leaves covered with prickles
  
• Unpalatable to browsing animals (prickles deter browsing)
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms thickets & can potentially smother other vegetation
  
• Reproduces be seeds (at least within native range)
  
• Can hybridize with other Rubus species
  
• Able to spread vegetatively by root suckers & rhizomatous canes
  
• Seeds, when produced, dispersed by birds, mammals & intentionally by people
  
• Seeds, if produced, may persist in the soil
  
• Able to resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Non-toxic
  
• Seed production may be limited in the Hawaiian Islands, possibly minimizing long-distance dispersal