Introduced invasive in the Pacific NW found from British Columbia to California, occasionally east to Idaho. Found in disturbed areas and roadsides, mostly at low elevations. Strongly armed evergreen shrub with long clambering canes. Does not increase as readily as the more common Himalayan blackberry. I find the berries to be firmer, sweeter and seedier than Himalayans. For this reason, some folks prefer these for pies. This shrub outcompetes natives and may prevent the growth of native trees that require sun for germination (although I often find a big leaf maple growing smack dab in the midst of a blackberry bramble). It can also form impenetrable thickets that block access to water, and does not particularly help with bank stabilization. Hard to get rid of, although goats will eat it down to the ground.

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