Wildflower - Multiflora Rose

The multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) is in bloom in our neighborhood, but the sweet fragrance of the masses of flowers mask the fiendish nature of this plant. The multiflora rose is native to Japan and Korea and was introduced in the U.S. as a "living fence". The characteristics that make it a good fence also make this invasive plant hard to control.



Unlike most other members of the rose family, the multiflora rose creates clusters of multiple flowers on each branch and the multiple flowers then create massive amounts of seed pods known as "rose hips". These rose hips are a sweet food source for wildlife which spread the seed and propagate the plant.



The multiflora rose plants are invasive and grow rapidly to take over fields and hedgerows. Here's a photo of a multiflora rose bush that is at least 20 feet high and and has enveloped a couple of trees.