Family: Rosaceae
Rubus ‘Marion’ (marionberry) is a cultivated blackberry hybrid developed in Oregon, prized for its large, sweet, and richly flavored berries. It is commonly grown for fresh eating, preserves, and desserts. The plant produces thorny canes and requires a trellis or support for optimal growth. Like other blackberries, it can spread vigorously in favorable conditions, and its fruits attract birds and wildlife, which can contribute to seed dispersal.
Marionberry is not known to be established in the Hawaiian Islands to date. Although it is occasionally grown in home gardens, there is no evidence of it escaping cultivation or forming naturalized populations. Nevertheless, people are encouraged to avoid planting it near natural areas, as blackberries in general have the potential to become invasive in Hawaii’s ecosystems.
High Risk Traits:
- Spiny, deterring herbivores and complicating control.
- Reproduces vegetatively via cuttings, suckers, and tip rooting.
- Fleshy, bird-dispersed fruits.
- Seeds survive gut passage, aiding dispersal.
- Tolerates and recovers from pruning/mutilation.
- Congeners are highly invasive.
- History of repeated global introductions.
- Moderate generative time (2 years to fruit).
Low Risk Traits:
- Limited to temperate climates; not suited for tropics/lowlands.
- Poor cold hardiness and low environmental versatility.
- No evidence of naturalization or weediness.
- Requires full sun; not shade tolerant.
- Limited soil tolerance (prefers loamy, acidic-neutral soils).
- Not toxic to humans or animals.
- No evidence of allelopathy or fire hazard.
- Seeds require cold stratification, limiting germination in warm climates.
