NC Native Plant Society:
Plant Details

Rosa multiflora

Multiflora Rose, Hedge Rose

Scientific Name:	Rosa multiflora
Genus:	Rosa
Species Epithet:	multiflora
Common Name:	Multiflora Rose, Hedge Rose
Plant Type	Shrub
Life Cycle	Perennial
Plant Family	Rosaceae (Rose Family)
Native/Alien:	Not Native to US
Invasive Status:	Rank 1 - Severe Threat^(*Key)
Size:	3-6 ft., 6-12 ft.
Bloom Color(s):	White, Pink
Light:	Sun - 6 or more hours of sun per day, Part Shade - 2 to 6 hours of sun per day
Soil Moisture:	Dry, Moist
Bloom Time:	May, June
Growing Area:	Mountains, Piedmont, Sandhills, Coastal Plain
Habitat Description:	Pastures, thickets, bottomlands, upland forests, bogs. Common non-native throughout NC.
Leaf Arrangement:	Alternate
Leaf Retention:	Deciduous
Leaf Type:	Leaves veined, not needle-like or scale-like
Leaf Form:	Compound
Life Cycle:	Perennial
Wildlife Value:	Has some wildlife value
Landscape Value:	Not Recommended for home landscapes
Notes:	Native of Asia. Highly invasive. DO NOT PLANT. Remove if found.
Blooms I've heard it was originally introduced as a help against erosion. I'm sure it worked well for that. It even has pretty and sweet-scented blooms in spring! Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
Rampant Grower However... it is a RAMPANT grower. The healthy plants tower over my head. Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
Stem The new growth is arching stems - the one below is only 8 feet long, and it was just one I could easily reach and cut to photograph. Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
Underneath The new growth builds on top of last years dead wood, making an almost impenetrable tangle of thorny twisted branches. Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
In The Trees When the long branches find a tree limb to rest against, they hook over it and then you have a rosebush in a tree. New branches start in all directions, climbing and clawing their way heavenward. Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
Rootstock If a long branch can't find a nice high place to rest, it will bend down to touch the earth, rooting there and beginning yet another plant. The old branches must all be cut, for many of them are not actually deadwood... and will sprout new growth if they get sunlight. (Leather gloves are a must!) Clippers aren't really big enough. Below, see a medium-sized rootstock. Fortunately a pruning saw will make short work of this, but where would you put the debris? The thorns take about forever to disintegrate. At least I've never heard of it being poisonous to burn, like poison ivy is! Black Mountain © MB Baumeister
Links:	USDA PLANTS Database Record Fact Sheet - Least Wanted - Plant Conservation Alliance’s Alien Plant Working Group