Family: Rosaceae
Rubus ellipticus, also called Himalayan raspberry, is a thorny invasive shrub. In its native range in the Himalayas, it grows at high elevations of 7,500 feet. The stems produce seeds in the first year. Flowering branches form in the second year. The berries are yellowish-orange. It is a noxious weed in the state of Hawaii.
Description and Dispersal:
- A stout evergreen shrub 4.5 meters tall.
- Stems are covered with thorns and reddish hairs.
- Compound leaves are comprised of 3 oval-shaped leaflets
- White flowers have 5 petals
- Fruit is a yellow drupe growing in clusters
- Birds readily disperse the seeds
High Risk Traits:
- Naturalized and invasive in tropical regions globally
- Forms dense, impenetrable, thorny thickets
- Documented agricultural, environmental, and disturbance weed
- Broad climate suitability (tropical/subtropical to zone 8)
- Tolerates a wide range of soil types and pH levels
- Shade tolerant at some stages
- Reproduces by prolific seeds and vegetatively via root suckers
- Seeds bird-dispersed and can survive gut passage
- Produces >1000 seeds/m²
- Forms a persistent soil seed bank
- Resprouts after cutting or fire
- Difficult to control with herbicides
Low Risk Traits:
- Not allelopathic or parasitic
- Not toxic to humans or animals
- Palatable to grazing animals (despite thorns)
- Does not create a fire hazard
