There are various plants that present field work challenges in western Washington. Rubus ursinus or trailing blackberry is a low key plant that has temporarily flustered me while navigating through brush.
Rubus ursinus set as a couple of trip wires on a moss covered log
High stepping and an awareness that a wire like vine may be wrapped around an ankle is a key strategy
The sharped barbs are not long, but they are very effective at shredding skin
The blackberry is a native and does produce tasty fruits. They are far less problematic compared to thick Himalayan blackberry thickets or rose thickets.
2 comments:
Hawthorn thickets (Crataegus douglasii) aren't fun, either!
Agreed! In fact they may be the worst. Fortunately rare on the west side of the state where I do most of my landslide work.
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