38 Multiflora Rose Facts: Uses, Identification, Habitat, And More

The center of origin for multiflora roses is considered to be in Asia, from where they traveled to Europe, North Africa, and North America.

According to fossil studies, scientists have found that American roses grew in Oregon and Colorado around 35 million years ago according to fossil studies. The rose family has grown considerably, and now there are more than 150 members, including thousands of hybrids.

These species and their rhizomatous growth help to stabilize hillsides and streambanks as they are rough and pleasant. These charmers can regrow quickly too.

Facts About Multiflora Rose

Multiflora roses expand and grow as shrubs do. They are open-faced blossoming flowers. They can produce up to 1 million seeds per year. Multiflora roses are quite bountiful!

Multiflora rose is also known as 'baby rose,' 'Japanese rose,' 'Eijitsu rose,' and 'rambler rose.'

They are native plants of Korea, Japan, and China (Eastern Asia).

Multiflora rose comes from the family Rosaceae, and its genus is Rosa. 

They can crawl upwards and can reach a height of 13 ft (4m).

These shrubs are roughly deciduous, and their branches are heavily interwoven.

Multiflora rose is an exotic and perennial shrub and has dense thickets.

This plant also forms a fruit which is known as rosehip or rose haw.

These fruits can have different colors depending on the species.

Multiflora rose fruit color ranges from red (rose red tint) to orange and other species have purple and black colored fruits.

The rosehip is fleshy, oval, and edible.

They are an abundant source of vitamin C (consult with a professional before eating them!).

Their hips are made into jam, jellies, syrups, and teas and are also used for ceremonial purposes, food, and medicine.

Rosehips are 0.2-0.4 in (0.5-1 cm) in size.

They stay with the plant till fall and reach maturity between September-October.

Multiflora rose is a monoecious plant (self-pollinating) and reproduces by seed, root sprouts, transfer of pollen by bees, and layering.

These flowers have a familiar rose-like fragrance.

Every hypanthium (rosehip) interior is a bit dry and fleshy and contains several dark seeds.

Their seeds can last in the soil for up to 20 years!

These plants appear to be fully mature and bewitching during their growing seasons.

The growing season starts in late spring or early summer and lasts for about three to four weeks.

Multiflora Rose's Uses

This species is considered to be invasive and wild, but it is known that the multiflora rose is one of the species from which modern roses have been cultivated.

In 1886 in eastern America, multiflora rose was first introduced as rootstock, an underground part of a plant used for growth.

It was popularly cultivated, producing ornamental roses, preventing erosion, and acting as a natural fence system (due to its structural stability).

As nature would have it, they became one of the most invasive species of the rose family, and in most parts of North America, they are considered an invasive species. 

The seeds of multiflora rose are eaten by songbirds, sparrows, wild turkey, ruffed grouse, chipmunks, mice, rabbits, wild game, bears, deer, and birds such as thrushes, blackbirds, and redwings.

The rose's dense thickets provide natural coverage to cottontail rabbits, mice, and white-tailed deer.

Its leaf stalk proves to be a sturdy nesting area for gray catbirds, northern cardinals, brown thrashers, northern mockingbirds, field sparrows, and veery.

The flowers produce a significant amount of pollen.

The pollen is so much that it attracts long-tongued bees, honey bees, bumblebees, short-tongued halictid bees, syrphid flies, bee flies, and beetles.

These insects and bees play an integral part and help them to pollinate.

Multiflora Rose's Identification

Multiflora rose is a wild rose that can be identified by its thorny branches and lovely white flowers. It grows in open woods, thickets, and fields.

Multiflora rose is an invasive species that is easily identified by its curved thorns, and they are sometimes large.

When the flower blooms, it appears to be white in color with a single row of petals.

Another species of multiflora rose is known as Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis; it is a species of small plants and has multiple rows of pink flowers.

The size of these individual plants can differ according to the species.

The size of the petal of the multiflora rose is 0.4-0.6 in (1-1.5 cm).

Its five sepals are long and thin and do not have any hair on them.

Their growing season is from May to July.

The stem tips of the multiflora rose are smooth, tall, and curved, with wide thorns appearing in a continuous pattern.

The leaves' structure of these invasive species is pinnately compound with seven to nine leaflets.

The leaflets are less than 1.5 in (4 cm) long, and they are oblong or elliptical; they are smooth with finely serrated edges.

There are three types of roses that look similar to multiflora roses: prairie rose, swamp rose, and Arkansas rose.

Multiflora Rose's Habitat

Multiflora can grow in a lot of different places and under distinct conditions as well. The plant grows well in full sun and shade throughout multiple soil conditions, ranging from moist to dry.

It grows quickly and can form dense, impenetrable thickets.

The plant is found throughout the United States, except in the southeastern coastal plains, Rocky Mountains, and western desert areas.

It is most commonly found near the fence rows, successional fields, and pastures in Tennessee.

However, it can invade natural areas such as fields, flood plains, and light gaps in forests.

This plant is found in the eastern half of the United States and in Washington and Oregon.

They can also invade fields, forests, prairies, some wetlands, and many other habitats.

Rose rosette disease is a possible condition that causes roses to grow strangely; the stems and leaves can all become deformed.

Rose rosette disease can be a natural control for these invasive species.

This plant type grows aggressively, and it becomes difficult to get rid of it once it establishes its foliage; it also commonly occurs in almost every county of Illinois.

In an area where there is plenty of sunlight, the shrub will grow quickly and produce flowers.

If it is in a shadier area with other plants nearby, it will become a long woody vine and will start scrambling.

This weed is designated as noxious in several states, including Iowa, Ohio, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia.