Rosa multiflora

Thunb. ex Murr.

Multiflora Rose

GNRUnranked Found in 93 roadless areas NatureServe Explorer →
GNRUnrankedGlobal Rank
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.129203
Element CodePDROS1J0P0
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusRosa
Other Common Names
multiflora rose (EN) Rambler Rose (EN) Rosier multiflore (FR)
Concept Reference
Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Conservation Status
Review Date1994-03-22
Change Date1994-03-22
Edition Date1987-07-24
Edition AuthorsNancy Eckardt
Range Extent Comments
Rosa multiflora is a common pasture weed in the northeastern and midwestern United States. It was originally introduced to the East Coast from Japan in 1886 as an understock for ornamental roses (Wyman 1949). It is no longer used among horticulturalists and is not available from nurseries (Doudrick 1987).

The present range of multiflora rose is throughout the U.S., with the exception of the Rocky Mountains, the Southeastern Coastal Plains, and the Nevada and California desert areas, although the plant does less well in the northern tier of states (Fawcett 1980).
Ecology & Habitat

Diagnostic Characteristics

Rosa multiflora may be told from R. setigera, which it resembles, by a more trailing or arching habit, mostly 7 or 9 leaflets, 2-4 cm long, abundant, mostly white flowers in a pyramidal inflorescence, a glabrous style, and smaller fruit (Fernald 1950).

Habitat

Rosa multiflora grows best on deep, fertile, well-drained but moist uplands or bottomlands, but is capable of enduring a wide range of edaphic and environmental conditions (Wyman 1949, Steavenson 1946). Steavenson (1946) reported successful plantings even on the eroded clay pans of central Missouri and southern Illinois. Schery (1977) reported that multiflora rose endures shade or sun and damp or dry environments, but does not grow well in standing water.

Reproduction

Rosa multiflora reproduces by seeds and by rooting at the tips of its drooping canes (Albaugh et al. 1977). Flowering begins in May, and the fruits develop in mid to late summer. The rose hips do not split apart to release the seed, but dry gradually to form a leathery capsule too dense to be wind-carried. The fruits are highly sought after by birds, especially the Cedar waxwing and American Robin (Scott 1965, Albaugh 1977, Barbour and Meade 1980). Birds are responsible for spreading the seeds, and as Schery (1977) noted, rose seedlings are often found under bird perch sites. Wyman (1940) observed better germination of seeds after scarification by passing through the digestive tract of birds. Uneaten rose hips remain on the plant until the following spring (Fawcett 1980) and the seeds remain viable for a number of years (Wyman 1949).

The seeds germinate readily following deposition in the soil. Steavenson (1946) recommended cold stratification from Feb. 1 to April to people planting multiflora rose. Seedlings appear within 60 days at soil temperatures above freezing (Steavenson 1946). Seedlings are generally inconspicuous the first one or two years due to their low growth habit (Schery 1977).
Other Nations (2)
CanadaNNA
ProvinceRankNative
OntarioSNANo
British ColumbiaSNANo
QuebecSNANo
New BrunswickSNANo
Prince Edward IslandSNANo
Nova ScotiaSNANo
United StatesNNA
ProvinceRankNative
North CarolinaSNANo
New YorkSNANo
MississippiSNANo
TennesseeSNANo
MissouriSNANo
MaineSNANo
KentuckySNANo
Rhode IslandSNANo
OklahomaSNANo
OhioSNANo
LouisianaSNANo
OregonSNANo
KansasSNANo
MichiganSNANo
IllinoisSNANo
West VirginiaSNANo
MassachusettsSNANo
South CarolinaSNANo
WashingtonSNANo
IndianaSNANo
GeorgiaSNANo
WisconsinSNANo
FloridaSNANo
AlabamaSNANo
District of ColumbiaSNANo
DelawareSNANo
MinnesotaSNANo
ConnecticutSNANo
New JerseySNANo
IowaSNANo
VermontSNANo
MarylandSNANo
New HampshireSNANo
VirginiaSNANo
PennsylvaniaSNANo
ArkansasSNANo
NebraskaSNANo
TexasSNANo
Plant Characteristics
Economic Value (Genus)Yes
Roadless Areas (93)
Alabama (1)
AreaForestAcres
Blue MountainTalladega National Forest4,986
Arkansas (1)
AreaForestAcres
Pedestal RocksOzark-St. Francis National Forest21,957
Georgia (4)
AreaForestAcres
Joe GapChattahoochee National Forest5,321
Lance CreekChattahoochee National Forest9,025
Sarah's CreekChattahoochee National Forest6,888
Shoal BranchChattahoochee National Forest413
Idaho (1)
AreaForestAcres
Bear CreekCaribou-Targhee National Forest118,582
Illinois (1)
AreaForestAcres
Ripple HollowShawnee National Forest3,788
Kentucky (1)
AreaForestAcres
WolfpenDaniel Boone National Forest2,835
New Hampshire (3)
AreaForestAcres
KilkennyWhite Mountain National Forest28,766
Mt. Wolf - Gordon PondWhite Mountain National Forest11,846
Wild RiverWhite Mountain National Forest46,878
New Mexico (3)
AreaForestAcres
Black CanyonSanta Fe National Forest1,922
Gila BoxGila National Forest23,759
Juan de Gabaldon GrantSanta Fe National Forest8,023
North Carolina (16)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainPisgah National Forest11,085
Balsam ConePisgah National Forest10,591
Catfish Lake NorthCroatan National Forest11,299
Cheoah BaldNantahala National Forest7,795
Craggy MountainPisgah National Forest2,657
Harper CreekPisgah National Forest7,325
Laurel MountainPisgah National Forest5,683
Linville Gorge AdditionPisgah National Forest2,809
Lost CovePisgah National Forest5,944
Middle Prong AdditionPisgah National Forest1,852
Overflow CreekNantahala National Forest3,379
South Mills RiverPisgah National Forest8,588
Tusquitee BaldNantahala National Forest13,670
Wilson CreekPisgah National Forest4,863
Woods MountainPisgah National Forest9,602
Yellowhammer Branch (add.)Nantahala National Forest1,255
Oregon (1)
AreaForestAcres
Roaring RiverMt. Hood National Forest27,316
Pennsylvania (4)
AreaForestAcres
Allegheny FrontAllegheny National Forest7,430
Clarion RiverAllegheny National Forest3,821
Minister ValleyAllegheny National Forest1,417
Tracy RidgeAllegheny National Forest9,034
South Carolina (1)
AreaForestAcres
Big MountainSumter National Forest2,337
Tennessee (6)
AreaForestAcres
Bald MountainCherokee National Forest11,743
Beaver Dam CreekCherokee National Forest5,070
Big Laurel Branch AdditionCherokee National Forest5,577
Sampson Mountain AdditionCherokee National Forest3,064
Slide HollowCherokee National Forest4,057
Stone MountainCherokee National Forest5,367
Utah (1)
AreaForestAcres
Burch CreekWasatch-Cache National Forest6,938
Vermont (3)
AreaForestAcres
Bread LoafGreen Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,768
Griffith Lake 09084Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests1,833
Wilder Mountain 09082Green Mountain and Finger Lakes National Forests8,759
Virginia (28)
AreaForestAcres
Adams PeakGeorge Washington National Forest7,135
Bear CreekJefferson National Forest18,274
Beards MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,505
Beartown Addition AJefferson National Forest1,370
Beartown Addition BJefferson National Forest2,985
Beaver Dam CreekJefferson National Forest1,135
Broad RunJefferson National Forest10,971
Brush MountainJefferson National Forest6,002
Crawford MountainGeorge Washington National Forest9,892
Elliott KnobGeorge Washington National Forest9,380
Gum RunGeorge Washington National Forest12,620
Kelley MountainGeorge Washington National Forest7,590
Laurel ForkGeorge Washington National Forest9,967
Little RiverGeorge Washington National Forest27,292
Mill MountainGeorge Washington National Forest10,840
New London Bridge BranchJefferson National Forest844
North MountainJefferson National Forest8,377
Northern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest9,444
Oak KnobGeorge Washington National Forest10,882
Peters Mountain Addition A (VA)Jefferson National Forest1,268
Peters Mountain Addition BJefferson National Forest2,909
Price MountainJefferson National Forest9,119
Ramseys Draft AdditionGeorge Washington National Forest12,781
Seng MountainJefferson National Forest6,428
Shawvers Run AdditionJefferson National Forest1,927
SkidmoreGeorge Washington National Forest5,641
Southern MassanuttenGeorge Washington National Forest11,985
Three RidgesGeorge Washington National Forest4,745
Washington (1)
AreaForestAcres
Heather LakeWenatchee National Forest10,628
West Virginia (17)
AreaForestAcres
Canaan LoopMonongahela National Forest7,867
Cheat MountainMonongahela National Forest8,191
Cranberry AdditionMonongahela National Forest11,123
Cranberry Glades Botanical AreaMonongahela National Forest785
Dolly Sods Roaring PlainMonongahela National Forest13,392
Dry ForkMonongahela National Forest657
Dry River (WV)George Washington National Forest7,331
Falls Of Hills CreekMonongahela National Forest6,925
Glady ForkMonongahela National Forest3,239
Little MountainMonongahela National Forest8,172
Mcgowan MountainMonongahela National Forest10,504
Middle MountainMonongahela National Forest19,020
Mottesheard (WV)Jefferson National Forest3,964
North Mountain HopevilleMonongahela National Forest6,525
Peters Mountain Addition A (WV)Jefferson National Forest343
Seneca CreekMonongahela National Forest22,287
Tea Creek MountainMonongahela National Forest8,295
References (29)
  1. Ahrens, J.F. 1979. Chemical control of multiflora rose. Proceedings NE Weed Science Society 33: 213-217
  2. Albaugh, G.P., W.H. Mitchell, and J.C. Graham. 1977. Evaluation of glyphosate for multiflora rose control. Proceedings NE Weed Science Society 31: 283-291.
  3. Allington, W.B., R. Staples, and G. Viehmeyer. 1968. Transmission of rose rosette by the eriophyid mite, Phyllocoptes fruitiphilus. Journal Econ. Entomology 61: 1137-1140.
  4. Amrine, J.W., D.F. Hindal, T.A. Stasny, R.L. Williams, C.C. Coffman. 1987. Transmission of rose rosette disease in Rosa multiflora thumb. by Phyllocoptes fructiphilus K. (Acari: Eriophyidae) and effect of plant size on transmission results. Dept. of Entomology, West Virginia University. Unpublished.
  5. Balduf, W. V. 1959. Obligatory and facultative insects in rose hips-their recognition and bionomics. Illustrated Biology Monograpy 26: 1-194.
  6. Barbour, B.M. and J.A. Meade. 1980. Control of multiflora rose in pastures. Proceeding NE Weed Science Society 34: 102-106.
  7. Crowe, F.J. 1983. Witches' broom of rose: A new outbreak in several states. Plant Dis. 67: 544-546.
  8. Doudrick, R.L., W.R. Enns, M.F. Brown and D.F. Millikan. 1986. Characteristics and role of the mite, Phyllocoptes fructiphilus (Acari:Eriophidae) in the etiology of rose rosette. Entomology News 97(4): 163-168.
  9. Fawcett, R.S. 1980. Today's weed-multiflora rose. Weeds Today 11(1): 22-23.
  10. Fawcett, R.S. G.W. Gogan, and J.R. Frier. 1977. Multiflora rose control in Iowa. NC Weed Control Conference, Res. Department 34: 14.
  11. Fernald, M. L. 1950. Gray's manual of botany. 8th edition. Corrected printing (1970). D. Van Nostrand Company, New York. 1632 pp.
  12. Flora of North America Editorial Committee (FNA). 2014b. Flora of North America north of Mexico. Vol. 9. Magnoliophyta: Picramniaceae to Rosaceae. Oxford University Press, New York. xxiv + 713 pp.
  13. Gordon, R.A. and C.J. Scifres. 1977. Burning for improvement of McCartney rose-infested coastal prairie. Texas Agricultural Experimental Station B-1183. 15 pp.
  14. Hindal, D.F., J.W. Amrine, R.L. Williams, T.A. Stasny. 1987. New findings of rose rosette on multiflora rose. Department of Plant Pathology, West Virginia University. Unpublished.
  15. Hipkins, P.L., W.E. Chappell, J.S. Coartney, and M.L. Link. 1980. The use of plant growth regulators to prevent the spread of multiflora rose. Abs., Proceeding 33rd Annual Meeting Southern Weed Science Society. p. 158.
  16. Kartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
  17. Kmetz, K. 1978. Control of multiflora rose. Weeds Today 9: 22.
  18. Labisky, R.F. and W.L. Anderson. 1965. Effect of multiflora rose on corn yields in adjacent fields. Journal Wildlife Management 29: 192-195.
  19. Link, M.L., O.L. Hipkins, and W.E. Chappell. 1981 Multiflora rose control studies with soil applied hervicides. Proceeding NE Weed Science Society 35: 221-222.
  20. Lynn, L.B., R.A. Rogers, and J.C. Graham. 1979. Response of woody species to glyphosate in northeastern states. Proc. Northeastern Weed Sci. Soc. 33: 336-342.
  21. Milliron, H.E. 1949. Taxonomic and biological investigations in the genus Megastimus. American Midland Naturalist 41: 257-420.
  22. Reed, T.M. and C.H. Fitzgerald. 1979. Chemical control of multiflora rose. Proceeding Southern Weed Science Society 32: 220-224.
  23. Schery, R. 1977. The curious double life of Rosa multiflora. Horticulture 55(6): 56-61.
  24. Scifres, C.J. 1975. Systems for improving McCartney rose infested coastal prairie rangeland. Texas Agricultural Experimental Station. MP 125, 12 pp.
  25. Scott, R.F. 1965. Problems of Multiflora rose spread and control. Trans. 30th North American Wildlife and Natural Resource conference. 360-378.
  26. Sherrick, S.L. and H.A. Holt. 1977. Preliminary multiflora rose control results. Proceeding NC Weed Cont. Conference.
  27. Steavenson, H.A. 1946. Multiflora rose for farm hedges. Journal Wildlife Management 10: 227-234.
  28. Thomas, H.E. and E.C. Scott. 1953. Rosette of rose. Phytopathology 43: 218-219.
  29. Wyman, D. 1949. Shrubs and vines for American gardens. Macmillan Company, N.Y. 613 pp.