Multiflora rose is a wild rose native to eastern Asia, Japan, China, and Korea. It was introduced
to North America as an ornamental plant, and for soil conservation. It has since become naturalized and widespread,
and is often considered an invasive species.
Identification: This rose is a fast-growing shrub that overtakes
other plants, growing to a height of 9½-16′ (3-5 m).
It has strong, thorny stems, with thorns that are curved backward.
Leaves are roughly oval in shape, with sharply
toothed edges, 1¾-4″ (5-10 cm) long, in groups of 5-11 (usually 9). It produces abundant, attractive white or pinkish flowers,
about ½-1½″ (1.5-4 cm) in diameter, with five petals and yellow centers. While many rose species
produce single flowers or small groups, this rose produces large corymbs (flower clusters).
Later in the season
it develops "rose hips," orange-red to purplish fruits ⅛-¼″ (6-8 mm) across that are fairly hard, like apples.
This plant is infected with rose rosette disease (RRD), a virus which causes new growth to be red and bizarre branching patterns called "witches broom." It eventually kills the plant and is transmissible to cultivated roses. · 3/2/2011 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Arizona · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 9.2 cm)
6/5/2013 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 8 × 5″ (19 × 13 cm)
This plant is infected with rose rosette disease (RRD), a virus which causes new growth to be red and bizarre branching patterns called "witches broom." It eventually kills the plant and is transmissible to cultivated roses. · 3/14/2012 · Susan and Raimond’s, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (17 × 11 cm)
This plant is infected with rose rosette disease (RRD), a virus which causes new growth to be red and bizarre branching patterns called "witches broom." It eventually kills the plant and is transmissible to cultivated roses. · 5/4/2017 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 7 × 4½″ (18 × 12 cm)
4/15/1979 · Memphis, Tennessee · By Tim Chandler ID is uncertain
11/7/2009 · Nashua River Rail Trail, Groton Center, Groton, Massachusetts · ≈ 3 × 4½″ (7.9 × 11 cm)
This plant is infected with rose rosette disease (RRD), a virus which causes new growth to be red and bizarre branching patterns called "witches broom." It eventually kills the plant and is transmissible to cultivated roses. · 3/17/2012 · North Central Railroad Trail, End, Phoenix, Maryland · ≈ 9 × 6″ (23 × 15 cm)
5/15/2010 · Garden in the Woods, Framingham, Massachusetts · ≈ 5 × 3½″ (13 × 8.8 cm)