Trailing Blackberry Plant

Trailing Blackberry
Trailing Blackberry

This is the only native blackberry species in British Columbia. The Trailing Blackberry Plant is a low, trailing plant with deciduous leaves and white to pink flowers that produce small blackberry fruits. This is a very tasty berry, my wife and I love to pick them. The fruits are best eaten fresh. The leaves can be used as a medicinal tea for stomach aches and the roots can be used as a medicinal tea for diarrhea.

It is common in disturbed sites and dry, open forests from low to middle elevations throughout Vancouver Island and the southern coast of BC. Although most often considered undesirable, it is very valuable as a plant species for habitat reclamation. It thrives in dry or moist, disturbed conditions, so it is natural at preventing erosion and great at bank stabilization. It grows well on disturbed sites and grows in sun to moderate shade.

It creates excellent wildlife habitat. Many species of birds eat the berries, as do many types of small mammals and bears. The dense thickets provide critical hiding and escape cover for many birds and mammals. Deer also browse the leaves.

Trailing Blackberry, Vancouver Island, BC
Trailing Blackberry, Vancouver Island, BC, photo by Bud Logan

Considered a weedy invader, it is a native blackberry that is far less invasive than its introduced cousins. It may be used to attract birds to your yard. To attract birds, teach them to travel up a trellis, so the berries are easy to access.

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