Where it's from

Japan

What Multiflora Rose does to the habitat

Creates dense thickets with multi-thorned stems making it impenetrable. Here’s the bad news – a single plant can make up to a million seeds a year that last up to 20 years.

Multiflora rose has a tendency to cultivate fields and pastures. It will climb trees giving added weight making branches vulnerable to wind damage and eventually killing the tree.

Management

With this plant it is best to have 2 workers. One to hold back the stems while the other cuts the stems at the base. (Gloves, shovel or pitch fork are useful for this.)

You can cut the new sprouts periodically or dig out the roots. Alternatively you can spray the foliage or the cut stalks with Glyphosate.

If it is a large area, repeated mowing is effective.

DESCRIPTION

Botanical Glossary

Rosa multiflora is a densely spreading perennial shrub that can grow up to 4.5 m (15 ft.) tall. It has glabrous arching canes that can be red to green in color. Most Rosa multiflora plants have thorns, but there have been some plants observed without. The leaves are alternate and pinnately compound, with 5-11 serrated, elliptic leaflets that are 2.5-4 cm (1-1.5 in.) long. These leaves are smooth and dark above and pale with small hairs below. The stipules are pectinately toothed. This plant produces fragrant flowers during May and June. Each inflorescence bears many flowers, and the flowers have five white (or sometimes pink) petals and numerous stamens. Red fruits develop in mid to late summer, are nearly spherical and measure 6-8 mm (0.25-0.3 in.) in diameter. Page References Bailey 533, Fernald 870, Gleason & Cronquist 257, Holmgren 237, Magee & Ahles 601, Newcomb 318, Peterson & McKenny 2, Seymour 340.