Question: Hi There’s a large section of my wooded property where Rubus idaeus is spreading and thriving. My research has come …
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Question
Hi There’s a large section of my wooded property where Rubus idaeus is spreading and thriving. My research has come up with conflicting information and I’m not sure if it is a native of my area. I am in the southwest part of Connecticut. Can you confirm that it is ok to let spread and that it is not invasive in my area? I have been fighting to keep barberry, garlic mustard and burning bush off my property and don’t want another invasive species to take their place. Thank you Danielle
Answer
Dear DanielleD, the question you have asked is a bit nuanced. Rubus idaeus is both a native and non-native shrub in New England. There are two subspecies: subsp. strigosus (native) and subsp. idaeus (non-native). They can be identified by the presence/absence of stipitate glands along the axis of the inflorescence and sometimes also on the young stems (present is the native, absent in the non-native). Best wishes.
