Multiflora Rose (Rosa multiflora)

Invader Type: 
  • Plant

SPECIES UPDATE

04/09/13
Cooperative Weed Management Association assist communities with the identification and control of non-native invasive plants in the Upper White River watershed

Control

Mechanical Control: 
  • Young plants can be pulled by hand.
  • Frequent, repeated cutting or mowing at the rate of three to six times per growing season, for two to four years, has been shown to be effective in achieving high mortality of multiflora rose.
  • In high quality natural communities, cutting of individual plants is preferred to site mowing to minimize habitat disturbance.
Chemical Control: 

Cut stump:  Cut the plant 4 inches above the ground.  Use a drip bottle to apply an 18-21% glyphosate solution to the stump within one hour of cutting.  This is best done in late summer through winter when plants are transporting resources to their root systems.

Low volume foliar spray:  This method is used for dense populations and best left to a contractor. Thoroughly wet all leaves with an herbicide in water with a surfactant as follows: while in bloom—Escort* at 1 ounce per acre (0.2 dry ounces per 3-gallon mix); Aug-Oct—Arsenal AC* as 1% solution (4 oz per 3-gallon mix) or  Escort* at 1 oz per acre (0.2 dry oz per 3-gallon mix); May-Oct—repeated applications of a glyphosate herbicide as a 2% solution in water (8 oz per 3-gallon mix), a less effective treatment that has no soil activity to damage surrounding plants.  In order to avoid drift to native plants, spray only on calm days.

Photos

Photos: 

Description

Identification: 

Multiflora rose is a multi-stemmed, thorny, perennial shrub that grows up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) tall.

 

Check out this video on how to identify multiflora rose

Reproductive Strategy / Lifecycle: 

Multiflora rose reproduces primarily by seed, a single plant can carry up to 1 million in a year. The seeds remain viable in the soil for up to 20 years. These perennial plants will also sprout from existing roots season after season. Leaves appear very early in spring, and flowers begin to bloom in June. Fruits develop in late summer and remain on the plant through winter. Multiflora rose can also reproduce by layering – when stem tips touch the ground and take root.

Dispersal: 

Birds can carry seeds over long distances, but humans have been the main means of dispersal. The plant was originally brought to the US as rootstock for ornamental roses in the 1800s, then promoted as “living fences” in the 1930s, and encouraged as wildlife enhancement in the 60s.

Habitat: 
Multiflora rose is found mostly in open and over-growing fields, open woods, forest edges, and riparian areas. The plant is not as vigorous in areas of shade. It is capable of tolerating a variety of soil, light, and moisture conditions.
History: 
The plant was originally brought to the US as rootstock for ornamental roses in the 1800s, then promoted as “living fences” in the 1930s, and encouraged as wildlife enhancement in the 60s.
Legal Status: 

Watch List

References: 

Photos: (c) C. Evans River to River CWMA; (c) J. Allison Georgia Department of Natural Resources; (c) J. Amrine Jr. West Virginia University' (c) J. Amrine Jr. West Virginia University; (c) J. MIller USDA Forest Service; (c) Ohio State Weed Lab Archive; (c) L. Mehrhoff.

Threat

Ecological Threat: 
  • Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) can form impenetrable thickets that exclude native plant species.
  • Birds eat the fruits and disperse the seeds which are still  viable after passing through the digestive tract.
  • Arching canes that reach the ground can take root and form new plants.
  • This plant has a wide tolerance of soil, moisture, and light conditions.  It has the ability to thrive in dense woods, open fields, prairies, pastures, and is readily found along stream banks and roadsides. 
  • Seed bank can remain viable for 10-20 years creating the need for a long-term management plan.