Riverfront Trail Notes no. 12: Himalayan Blackberry

bifrons), especially on the West end of the Trail near Taylor Lake. Leaves are palmately compound with large, rounded to oblong, toothed leaflets usually in groups of five on main stems.

In the next two or three weeks this year’s crop will be ripening and Trail users can enjoy fresh fruit and the inevitable purple forager’s fingers. In addition to being a healthy and flavorful snack, enjoying one cup of ripe blackberries, at only 60 calories, can deliver 50% of a daily allowance of vitamin C along with significant antioxidants, vitamin K, manganese and fiber. Beware, one must contend with pestiferous thorns that actually have a mild toxin to deliver along with the pain of the poke.

There is no shortage of Himalayan Blackberries in the Pacific Northwest, so how did the species become such a ubiquitous invasive species? The species is native to Eurasia, was introduced in North America for fruit cultivation and has had a lot of help from birds and other animals, including humans, in its spread. Any animal species that eats blackberries, especially birds, provides delivery service for the very durable seeds. Passing unharmed through any digestive tract, the seeds can then be viable even after two years buried in soil. There is also the ability of the plant’s tough vines to aggressively sink new roots wherever arching vines touch down to soil. This is how Rubus bifrons, known in England as Bramble, is capable of rapidly taking over a landscape, crowding out native species.

Whether picking for a pie or just a fresh fruit snack, be sure to try some Brambles on your next ramble of the Riverfront Trail.

“Nature does not hurry, yet everything gets done.”

 - Taoist proverb

Trail notes are brought to you by the Riverfront Trail Board, a group of local volunteers who manage, help maintain and promote The Dalles Riverfront Trail. - To sponsor this regular feature please contact us: 541-386-1234 Ext. 100 or email, Info@Gorgenews.com