Multiflora Rose

According to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources, multiflora rose is a thorny shrub with arching stems and compound leaves divided into five to 11 sharply toothed leaflets. Each leaf stalk’s base bears a pair of fringed stipules. Fragrant, white to pale pink flowers grow in late spring. From the summer to winter, small, bright red fruits appear and remain on the plant.

Hand-pulling of the entire plant and proper disposal is effective when plants are small, according to the Ohio Department of Natural Resources. Mowing is only slightly effective, but has to be done repeatedly. Prescribed burning can be conducted at the start of the growing season to control severe infestations. Systemic herbicide is most effective. Rose rosette virus, which kills infected plants within two to five years, was first found in Ohio in 1987 and is spread by a tiny native mite. This virus is speculated to have the ability kill dense patches of multiflora rose.

Repeated site perimeter mowing can somewhat block multiflora rose expansion and prevent its spread, according to the Natural Resources Conservation Service.

Multiflora rose crowds out native species from growing and invades pastures according to the U.S. Department of Agriculture.

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