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Skaneateles Conservation Area/Invasive species/Roseae

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<< Prohibited invasive plants at the SCA

Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose)

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Multiflora rose (also known as rambler rose) is arguably the most annoying invasive plant for trail maintainers as well as hikers. It is native to eastern China, Japan and Korea and was introduced to North America from Japan in the mid-19th century as rootstock for grafted ornamental rose cultivars. By the mid-20th century it was commonly distributed for conservation planting but is now banned by many states.

Invasiveness ranking for Rosa multiflora (multiflora rose)

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Multiflora rose is ranked with a relative maximum score of 89% (very high).[1]

Ecological impact

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Large dense thickets significantly reduce light availability. Species grows as vine, shrub, and various forms in between, allowing it to impact herbaceous and understory shrub layers, plus increase density of shrub layer by itself. In some situations it will not only create a new layer but eradicate all layers below it forming a impenetrable thicket.[2]

Substantially increases woody plant layers, outcompeting native woody and herbaceous species.[3]

Biological characteristics and dispersal ability

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Ecological amplitude and distribution

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Multiflora rose inhabits forested wetlands, cultivated fields, grasslands, old fields, shrublands, forests, woodlands, and roadsides. It is present in all New York State PRISMs.[1]

Large stands have been observed in areas with few other invasive species. It was promoted by the U.S. Soil Conservation Service in the 1930s and 1940s for erosion control and wildlife habitat. It shows widespread dispersal as a result of fleshy fruits and vegetative propagation.[4]

Difficulty of control

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Multiflora rose is usually difficult to pull up, even with a weed wrench, because the stems often crush and break off right at ground level.

Some individuals at the SCA have been observed with symptoms similar to those of rose-rosette disease (witches’ brooms and small reddish leaves and shoots), which would have been caused by mites.

References used for ranking

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  1. ↑ a b M.J. Jordan, G. Moore & T.W. Weldy (2008). Invasiveness ranking system for non-native plants of New York. Unpublished. The Nature Conservancy, Cold Spring Harbor, NY; Brooklyn Botanic Garden, Brooklyn, NY; The Nature Conservancy, Albany, NY. Rosa multiflora assessed by Jinshuang Ma, Gerry Moore, Jan. 21, 2009.
  2. ↑ David J. Robertson, Mary C. Robertson & Thomas Tague (1994). "Colonization Dynamics of Four Exotic Plants (Lonicera japonica, Ampelopsis brevipedunculata, Celastrus orbiculatus, Rosa multiflora) in a Northern Piedmont Natural Area." Bulletin of the Torrey Botanical Club, 121(2): 107–118.
  3. ↑ Nancy Eckardt (1987). Element Stewardship abstract for Rosa multiflora. The Nature Conservancy, Arlington, VA.
  4. ↑ Marjorie R. Lundgren, Christine J. Small & Glenn D. Dreyer. (2004) "Influence of Land Use and Site Characteristics on Invasive Plant Abundance in the Quinebaug Highlands of Southern New England." Northeastern Naturalist, 11(3): 313–332.

Observations of Rosa multiflora at the SCA

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The following photographs and corresponding iNaturalist observations of Rosa multiflora were made at or very near the Skaneateles Conservation Area. Click on images to enlarge and read details on Wikimedia Commons or on the "iNat obs" links to view the corresponding observations at iNaturalist.

  • Rosa multiflora in old field south of transfer station hard-fill area, 19 Aug 2012. iNat Obs
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  • Rosa multiflora at the east corner of the beaver pond near the dam, 8 Nov 2018. iNat Obs
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