Ecology and Control of Blackberry (Rubus Fruticosus L. Agg.)

Summary. The growth and vegetative reproduction of eighteen taxa in the genus Rubus was investigated to determine the biological characters that distinguish weedy from non‐weedy Rubus spp. in Australia. Thickets of European blackberry (R. fruticosus L. agg.), 21 months old, were distinguished by their low height and many rooting cane apices, from non‐weedy Rubus spp. R. fruticosus agg. thickets had large radii, but this character was shared by thickets of some non‐weedy taxa, namely Scoresby selection, youngberry and boysenberry. Most Rubus spp. had few adventitious shoots on lateral roots and there were no Rubus seedlings near the thickets. It is suggested that R. fruticosus agg. has a higher weed status than the other taxa because of its ability to produce a high frequency of rooting at its cane apices. Ecologie et destruction des ronces. I.