Third image shows arching canes, plants 2-3m high in open areas and to around 4 m among trees. Plants at this site infected with rust fungi Phragmidium violaceum and Kuehneola. uredinis.
Thanks for the observation. We are going to start to map the extent of the rust spread on Collector for ArcGIS so we can monitor spread from original release sites.
There have been a number of strains of Phragmidium violaceum released in Australia since the 1980's. I have vague memories of encountering it among riparian blackberry in the ACT since the late 1980's/early1990's but it wasn't common then. The point being is that you won't know the original release site or sites unless you can identify the strain. If you are going to to the molecular work to identify the strain do you want samples of infected blackberry collected?
Yes understand - Rangers Darren and Brandon have been releasing a few different strains over the past 3 years at the Lower Cotter and in the Blundell's Creek - Warks Rd part of Namadgi NP - so at least we will record release sites and evidence of rust damage in the area.
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