Blackberries

As you walk around the lake, you might spot a tangle of thorny vines — these are called blackberry brambles. These wild blackberries are the same kind you buy at the grocery store — but let’s leave these for the wildlife. While it might be tempting to pick some berries for yourself, remember that animals here need these for nutrition.

These brambles are a favorite food source and habitat for animals at the lake. Can you imagine who’s in there right now? Most likely, nocturnal and crepuscular creatures (active at dawn and dusk), such as rabbits, skunks, or raccoons.

There are two types of berries here: the native Trailing Blackberry (Rubus ursinus) and invasive Himalayan Blackberry (Rubus armeniacus). To tell them apart, look at the leaves — Himalayan has five leaflets, while Trailing has three. The Himalayan Blackberry, introduced in the 1880’s, has become a challenging invasive species. Its aggressive growth and deep, layering root system make it nearly impossible to remove once established. As it spreads, it creates dense thickets that crowd out native plants. When native plants disappear, we lose the specific relationships they've developed with local wildlife over thousands of years — such as the insects that feed on them.