Himalayan Blackberry: Its berries, leaves, and flowers.
Figure Credit: (left and middle) http://www.nwcb.wa.gov/detail.asp?weed=111
(right) http://www.nps.gov/prsf/naturescience/himalayan-blackberry.htm

Luther Burbank. "The Wizard of Horticulture". 
Figure Credit: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Luther_Burbank

Himalayan blackberry population in the United States (as of 2015) 
Figure Credit:  http://www.invasive.org/browse/subinfo.cfm?sub=6338

Timeline of Blackberry in America 

The Himalayan blackberry was originally introduced for fruit production. 
How did it get here?

• 1885: Luther Burbank, a botanist, brought this plant from the U.S. as a backyard plant (Lee, Arthur J.)

                - For its delicious berries

• 1885 - early 2000's: Birds and animals began spreading the seed up the west coast via feces (Lee, Arthur J.)

                - Exponential growth (refer to invasive curve) 

• Early 2000's: Citizens and park workers began to notice increasing blackberry population ("Why Did Blackberry Brambles Become Such a NW Problem?")

• 2005: Restoration began in Seattle city parks ("Why Did Blackberry Brambles Become Such a NW Problem?")

• 2009: Himalayan blackberry deemed as a noxious weed ("Noxious Weeds")

• Present: Himalayan blackberry continues to thrive, but conservation efforts and research are also growing 

History of this issue - how it has led to today
According to Seattle Urban Nature's Plant Inventory, they claim that Himalayan blackberry are the most invasive species in Seattle's forests ("Noxious Weeds").



“And for some reason, these particular plants are really good at growing here in Washington, even though they didn’t evolve here, even though they’re not from here. [Invasive plants] are the ones that we call plant bullies.” Sasha Shaw, with King County’s Noxious Weed Control Program.