Multiflora Rose

Multiflora Rose

(Rosa multiflora Thunb. ex Murr.)

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

▲ Flowering plant in fencerow

▲ flowering stems

▲ flower close-up

▲ finely-divided stipules at bases of leaves help distinguish multiflora rose from native rose species (close-up below ▼)

Multiflora rose: (pp. 514-515, Weeds of the Great Plains; pp. 342-343, Weeds of the Northeast)

a noxious weed in Missouri; common in southwest Missouri
a brushy, woody simple perennial species
native of Japan; introduced as "living fence" during early 1900's
reproduces mainly by seeds which are scattered by birds
difficult to get rid of mature plants
Found that “rose rosette" disease, spread by mites, will weaken and eventually kill plants, but may affect certain cultivars of desirable roses as well