multiflora rose: Rosa multiflora (Rosales: Rosaceae): Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States

multiflora rose	USDA PLANTS Symbol: ROMU U.S. Nativity: Exotic Habit: Shrub or Subshrub Vines
Rosa multiflora Thunb.

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Taxonomic Rank: Magnoliopsida: Rosales: Rosaceae
Native Range: Japan, Korea (REHD);
Appearance Rosa multiflora is a multistemmed, thorny, perennial shrub that grows up to 15 ft. (4.6 m) tall. The stems are green to red arching canes which are round in cross section and have stiff, curved thorns. Foliage Leaves are pinnately compound with 7-9 leaflets. Leaflets are oblong, 1-1.5 in. (2.5-3.8 cm) long and have serrated edges. The fringed petioles of Rosa multiflora usually distinguish it from most other rose species. Flowers Small, white to pinkish, 5-petaled flowers occur abundantly in clusters on the plant in the spring. Fruit Fruit are small, red rose hips that remain on the plant throughout the winter. Birds and other wildlife eat the fruit and disperse the seeds. Ecological Threat Rosa multiflora forms impenetrable thickets in pastures, fields, and forest edges. It restricts human, livestock, and wildlife movement and displaces native vegetation. It tolerates a wide range of conditions allowing it to invade habitats across the United States. Rosa multiflora is native to Asia and was first introduced to North America in 1866 as rootstock for ornamental roses. During the mid 1900s it was widely planted as a “living fence” for livestock control.

Identification, Biology, Control and Management Resources

A Field Guide for the Identification of Invasive Plants in Southern Forests - USDA Forest Service
Biological Control of Invasive Plants in the Eastern United States - USDA Forest Service
Southeast Exotic Pest Plant Council Invasive Plant Manual - SE-EPPC
Element Stewardship Abstract - The Nature Conservancy
Weeds Gone Wild: Alien Plant Invaders of Natural Areas - Plant Conservation Alliance
Fire Effects Information System - USDA Forest Service
Weed of the Week - USDA Forest Service
Plant Invaders of Mid-Atlantic Natural Areas - National Park Service and U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

Selected Images from Invasive.org

View All Images at Invasive.org

Flower(s); in April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); Pink-flowered form Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Flower(s); in April James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Plant(s); flowering plant in May. James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); June. Photo from Forest Plants of the Southeast and Their Wildlife Uses by J.H. Miller and K.V. Miller, published by The University of Georgia Press in cooperation with the Southern Weed Science Society. James H. Miller & Ted Bodner, Southern Weed Science Society, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Stem showing thorns and feathery leaf bract Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Foliage; August James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Plant(s); Chris Evans, University of Illinois, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Fruit(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Twig(s)/Shoot(s); October James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Feature(s); Close-up of fringed stipules Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Fruit(s); Leslie J. Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Seed(s); Steve Hurst, USDA NRCS PLANTS Database, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Randy Westbrooks, Invasive Plant Control, Inc., Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Control; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage
Infestation; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Control; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage	Infestation; Nancy Dagley, USDI National Park Service, Bugwood.org Additional Resolutions & Image Usage

EDDMapS Distribution:
This map is incomplete and is based only on current site and county level reports made by experts and records obtained from USDA Plants Database. For more information, visit www.eddmaps.org