Uses
Many species are grown and bred for their fruit. Ornamental species can be grown for flowers (e.g. Rubus trilobus), for their ornamental stems (e.g. Rubus cockburnianus), and some as ground cover (e.g. Rubus tricolor). The thorny varieties are sometimes grown for game cover, and occasionally for protection.
Most species are important for their conservation and wildlife value in their native range. The flowers attract nectar-feeding butterflies and hoverflies, and are a particular favourite of Volucella pellucens.
Brambles are important food plants for the larvae of several species of Lepidoptera—see list of Lepidoptera that feed on Rubus.
Bramble leaves are used as a main food source for captive stick insects.
Birds such as blackbirds, and some mammals, will feed on the nutritious fruits in autumn.
Split bramble stems are traditionally used as binding material for straw in production of lip work basketry, such as lipwork chairs and bee skeps, and sometimes used to protect other fruits (strawberries).
Read more about this topic: Bramble