Family: Rosaceae

Rubus niveus (Ceylon raspberry, hill raspberry, Mysore raspberry) is a fast-growing, invasive shrub that produces small, edible red berries. Originally from tropical Asia, it has become naturalized on multiple Hawaiian Islands, including Kaua‘i, Maui, and Hawai‘i. This species forms dense thickets that crowd out native plants, degrade habitats, and can make walking or driving through natural areas difficult. Its rapid growth, coupled with prolific fruiting and easy seed dispersal by birds, allows it to spread quickly, making it a serious concern for conservation efforts.

Because of its aggressive behavior, people are strongly discouraged from planting or cultivating Rubus niveus in Hawai‘i. If already present, careful management is necessary to prevent it from invading native forests or agricultural lands. Controlling this species often requires physical removal combined with monitoring to prevent regrowth from seeds or roots. Avoiding cultivation is the best way to protect Hawai‘i’s fragile ecosystems and support the health of native plant communities.

High Risk Traits:

• Elevation range exceeds 1000 m, demonstrating environmental versatility
  
• Thrives in tropical climates
  
• Naturalized on Kauai, Maui, and Hawaii (Hawaiian Islands) and widely naturalized elsewhere
  
• A weed of agriculture and the natural environment in the Galapagos; a potentially serious environmental weed in the Hawaiian Islands
  
• Other Rubus species are invasive
  
• Prickles on stems, leaf petioles and rachises
  
• Seedlings are Shade-tolerant
  
• Tolerates many soil types
  
• Forms dense stands, crowding out other vegetation
  
• Reproduces by seeds, and vegetatively by suckers, and daughter plants from stem tips
  
• Able to reach maturity in 6 to 8 months
  
• Seeds dispersed by birds, or frugivorous animals and intentionally by people
  
• Prolific seed production (7000/m2)
  
• Forms a persistent seed bank (up to 10 years)
  
• May have some herbicide tolerance
  
• Able to resprout after cutting

Low Risk Traits:

• Palatable to goats (despite prickles)
  
• Edible fruit
  
• Medicinal uses
  
• Some herbicides may provide effective control