Invasive Plants in Pennsylvania

Multiflora rose
Rosa multiflora
PA Noxious Weed
Description: Biology and Spread:

Multiflora rose is a dense, It is estimated that a single

thorny shrub, reaching up to plant may produce a million
15 feet in height, with arching seeds per year, which may
canes (stems) that are capable remain viable in the soil for up
of rambling up trees. Its leaves to 20 years. The hips are
are pinnately compound, readily eaten by birds, which
divided into seven to nine are the primary seed
leaflets, and finely serrate. dispersers. New plants can
Clusters of fragrant white to also be formed by rooting
Deric Case, DCNR - BOF
pink flowers appear in May or from the tips of canes touching
Background: June. Small bright red hips the ground.
Multiflora rose was introduced into
(fruit) develop during the
the United States as ornamental summer and remain on the Ecological Threat:
rootstock from Japan in 1866. plant through winter.
Beginning in the 1930s, the U.S. Soil Multiflora rose forms impenetrable
Conservation Service promoted it for thickets that exclude native plant
use in erosion control and livestock species. This shrub grows very
fencing. It was also encouraged in prolifically in riparian areas, where
wildlife plantings and as a crash its inedible leaf litter can change the
barrier along highways. Recognition composition of the aquatic
of its tenacious and unstoppable macroinvertebrate community. Its
growth habitat came too late, and it is occasional habitat of climbing can
now considered a noxious weed in weigh down trees, making them
many states. susceptible to breakage.

Range:
Native to Asia, multiflora rose now
occurs throughout most of the
United States, especially the eastern
half.
James H. Miller, USDA Forest Service

Habitat:
This invasive shrub has a wide
tolerance for various soil,
moisture and light conditions.
It can be found in dense
woods, along stream banks
and roadsides, and in open
Deric Case, DCNR - BOF
fields and prairies.
Deric Case, DCNR - BOF
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How to Control this Species:

Physical Chemical Biological

Frequent cutting or mowing, Application of herbicides, Biological control is currently under
three to six times per such as glyphosate or investigation. Rose-rosette disease, a
native viral pathogen, is spread by a
growing season, for two to triclopyr, on freshly cut stems mite, and is slowly spreading
four years, is effective in is an effective control method eastward from the west. The
achieving high mortality. Be since it destroys the root European rose chalcid, a seed-
careful—the strong thorns system and prevents infesting wasp, promises to reduce
have been known to re-sprouting. This may be seed viability. Unfortunately, both of
these measures have the potential to
puncture rubber tires. done during the dormant impact native rose species.
period, which reduces the
Scattered populations may likelihood of damaging If You Find This Plant:
be eliminated by complete desirable species.
removal of the plants. Be Multiflora rose is on the
sure to remove all root A foliar spray of fosamine can Pennsylvania Noxious Weed Control
List. It is illegal to sell, transport,
material because this shrub be used from July through plant or otherwise propogate this
readily re-sprouts. September, but die-back will species. If you believe that you have
not be apparent until the found a new population of this plant,
In areas where multiflora following summer. Fosamine please contact:
rose is detected early, Botany/Weed Specialist
will only affect woody species. Pennsylvania Dept of Agriculture
prescribed fire may limit its Phone 717-787-7204
establishment.

Rosa multiflora
Look-A-Likes:

Multiflora rose could easily be

Multiflora rose has stipules
confused with other rose that are conspicuously
species (both native and non- fringed (as shown in the
photo to the left).
native), especially when not in
bloom. This is a concern, since
some native species are of
conservation interest.

PA native rose species: Rosa virginiana photos to the left by:

Brett Pifer, DCNR -
Rosa virginiana BOF

PA native rose species

have stipules with entire
margins or with sessile or
stipitate glands, but are
not fringed (as shown in
the picure to the left).

Brett Pifer, DCNR - BOF

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