Spiny Stemmed Shrubs
These species are perennial shrubs that have spiny stems. Many of these species have arching stems that can create dense thickets. Species are differentiated based on number, size, and position of leaves, as well as flower and fruit characteristics.
Look Alikes
Some gooseberry (Ribes spp.) shrubs also have stems with spines.
Native and invasive roses (Rosa spp.) and brambles (Rubus spp.) also have spiny, arching stems.
There are many native Rubus spp. in Wisconsin that can be difficult to differentiate from each other and from invasive Rubus spp.
Resource Table
| Classification | Common Name | Other Common Names | Scientific Name | Resources | Videos | Weed ID slides ppt (AGR 375) | National Distribution Map | Look-Alike Species |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Restricted | Bristly locust | Rose acacia | Robinia hispida | Link | Robinia hispida | National Map | ||
| Prohibited | Common barberry | Berberis vulgaris | Link 1 Link 2 | Berberis vulgaris | National Map | |||
| Prohibited | Himalayan blackberry | Rubus armeniacus | Link 1 Link 2 | Rubus armeniacus | National Map | |||
| Restricted | Japanese barberry | Berberis thunbergii | UWEX Factsheet Link | Berberis thunbergii | National Map | |||
| Restricted | Multiflora rose | Rosa multiflora | UWEX Factsheet Link | Rosa multiflora | National Map | |||
| Prohibited | Wineberry | Wine raspberry | Rubus phoenicolasius | Link | Video | Rubus phoenicolasius | National Map |
Species Summary Table
| Scientific Name | Common Name | Bark / Stem | Leaves | Flowers | Fruits | Leaf Division | Flower Color |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Berberis thunbergii | Japanese barberry | Arching rough stems; single spines along stems below clusters of leaves | Clustered at branchlet tips; spatula-shaped, toothless, up to 1” long, 3/8” wide | Dangling clusters of 1-5 pale yellow ¼” flowers, April- May | Bright red, oval fruits, 3/8” long | Simple | Yellow |
| Berberis vulgaris | Common barberry | Arching rough stems; 3-pronged spines along stems below clusters of leaves | Clustered at branchlet tips; spatula-shaped; toothed, up to 2” long, ¾” wide | Dangling racemes of 2-5 pale yellow, <1/4” flowers; May – June | Bright red, oval fruits, 1/3” long | Simple | Yellow |
| Robinia hispida | Bristly locust / rose acacia | Young green stems covered with mix of short white hairs, longer red bristles; older branches grey- brown with pale lenticels, bristles turning brown, stiff | Alternate, compound leaves 6- 12” long with 7-13 egg-shaped leaflets; underside with red prickles along midrib | Clusters of up to 15 pale to bright pink 1” pea- like flowers; June - July | Flat pod 2-3” long, covered in red prickles, green turning to brown at maturity | Pinnately compound | Pink to purple |
| Rosa multiflora | Multiflora rose | Branches climbing, vine-like, or arching; smooth green (young) or darker (old) with dark, stout downward pointing thorns | Alternate, compound leaves 2- 4” long with 5-9 egg-shaped, toothed leaflets; base of leaf stalk has fringed stipules | Dense clusters of ¾ - 1” white flowers with 5 oval to heart-shaped petals; May -June | Small, round ¼” hips, red to purple brown at maturity | Pinnately compound | White |
| Rubus armeniacus | Himalayan blackberry | Arching, reddish, strongly angular stems with large, hooked thorns | Alternate, compound leaves 3- 8” long, 3-5 toothed leaflets with abrupt tip; row of thorns on underside of midrib | Large clusters of 1” white to pale pink 5- petaled flowers; May - June | Cluster of blackberries, ½ - 1” in size; large, purple, shiny when mature | Trifoliate or palmately compound | White |
| Rubus phoenicolasius | Wineberry / wine raspberry | Arching stems with small spines, covered in glandular, reddish hairs | Alternate, compound leaves; 3 toothed, heart-shaped leaflets; green above; slivery white, very hairy below | Small, white, 5-petaled flowers; hairy sepals longer than petals; May – June | Clusters of bright, shiny red fruits, up to ½”; ripen June - July | Trifoliate | White |