Rosa multiflora

Template:Short descriptionTemplate:RedirectTemplate:Use mdy dates Template:Use American English Template:Speciesbox Rosa multiflora (syn. Rosa polyantha)<ref name=P&R>Template:Cite book</ref> is a species of rose known commonly as multiflora rose,<ref name=GRIN>Template:GRIN</ref> baby rose,<ref name=GRIN/> Japanese rose,<ref name=GRIN/> many-flowered rose,<ref name=GRIN/> seven-sisters rose,<ref name=GRIN/> Eijitsu rose and rambler rose. It is native to eastern Asia, in China, Japan, and Korea. It should not be confused with Rosa rugosa, which is also known as "Japanese rose", or with polyantha roses which are garden cultivars derived from hybrids of R. multiflora. It was introduced to North America, where it is an invasive species, forming extensive, impenetrable stands within forest understories, thickets, borders, and lowlands.

Description

It is a scrambling shrub climbing over other plants to a height of Template:Cvt, with stout stems with recurved prickles (sometimes absent). The leaves are Template:Cvt long, compound, with 5–9 leaflets and feathered stipules. The flowers are produced in large corymbs, each flower small, Template:Cvt diameter, white or pink, borne in early summer. The hips are reddish to purple, Template:Cvt diameter. Two other varieties have been identified which have many synonyms of their own:<ref name=POWO/>

• Rosa multiflora var. adenochaeta (Koidz.) Ohwi
• Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis Rehder & E.H.Wilson

As well as the type variety Rosa multiflora var. multiflora.

Cultivation and uses

Rosa multiflora is grown as an ornamental plant and also used as a rootstock for grafted ornamental rose cultivars.

In eastern North America, Rosa multiflora is considered an invasive species. It was originally introduced from Asia as a soil conservation measure, as a natural hedge to border grazing land, and to attract wildlife. In some regions the plant is classified as a noxious weed.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> In grazing areas, it is generally considered to be a serious pest, though it is excellent fodder for goats.<ref>Template:Citation</ref>

The achene fruits (hips) of Rosa multiflora (referred to as "Eijitsu" or "Rosae fructus") are used to make a tea and in traditional medicine historically and in modern clinical practice to treat constipation.<ref>Template:Cite journal</ref><ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Management

The targeted removal of multiflora rose often requires an aggressive technique, such as the full removal of the plant in addition to the root structure. Pruning and cutting back of the plant often leads to re-sprouting. Two natural biological controls include the rose rosette disease and the rose seed chalid (Megastigmus aculeastus var. nigroflavus).<ref>Template:Cite web</ref> Patches of introduced multiflora rose in Pennsylvania are displaying symptoms of rose rosette disease, which can lead to decline and death.<ref>Template:Cite web</ref>

Gallery

• Whole plant
• Bark
• Foliage
• Flowers
• Flower close-up
• Hips (fruits)
  Hips (fruits)
• Blossom of var. cathayensis on the Kuma River of Japan.
  Blossom of var. cathayensis on the Kuma River of Japan.

External links

• Species Profile – Multiflora Rose, National Invasive Species Information Center, United States National Agricultural Library. Lists general information and resources for Multiflora Rose.