White flowers of multiflora rose. Photo by Wisconsion DNR. Leaves of multiflora rose.
Appearance: Dense multi-stemmed shrubs can reach 8-13 feet tall and 9-13 feet wide. The stems often have an arching or drooping appearance.
Leaves and stems: Alternate, pinnately compound leaves, 4-6 inches long with serrated edges. Each leaf usually has 7 or 9 leaflets. Fringed stipules at the base of each leaf. Native roses have smooth stipules with no fringe. Multiflora rose has thick curved thorns while native roses have thinner, straighter thorns.
Flowers: White to slightly pink, blooms mid to late spring. Native roses have pink flowers (some are very light pink).
Fruit: Small (diameter less than 0.25 in.) red to brownish-red fruit (rose hips). Plant produces up to 500,000 seeds per year. Fruits can be eaten and spread by birds and wildlife. Seeds in the soil can remain viable for 10-20 years.
Roots: Branches that contact the soil can produce roots. New plants can develop from shallow roots.
- Multiflora rose factsheet - Wisconsin DNR
- Minnesota Noxious Weeds
- To distinguish multiflora rose from native roses Mistaken Identity - Invasive Plants and their Native Look-Alikes
- Woody vegetation control
- MISIN multiflora rose identification training module
- Brush management - Multiflora rose - US NRCS
- Multiflora rose factsheet - US Forest Service