Multiflora Rose

Growth Habit

Multi-stem shrub to climbing vine, growing to around 10-15 feet tall and 9-13 feet wide. Climbing stems up to 15 to 20 feet.

Leaves

Leaves are alternately arranged and compound - typically with 7 to 9 leaflets (full range 5 to 11), leaflets with toothed edges. Leaf petioles with stipules (paired wing-like structures at the base of the leaf stem) that are fringed, often with gland-tipped teeth. The stipules are one of the key identification traits for this species. Click here and here for stipule examples.

Flowers

Fragrant flowers in clusters (panicles), 4 to 6 inches long and wide of many flowers, estimates include 20-100, 5-45+ and 5 to 30+ flowers per cluster. Flowers have 5 white petals and are around 1 inch wide, though some may be semi-double or double and white to pinkish in color. Flowers have five sepals, with their margins having slender lobes, becoming reflexed and falling off after flowering.

Fruit & Seeds

Flowers form small, shiny, red rose hips that are nearly spherical and about 0.25 inch (5-7 mm) in diameter. Hips may or may not have a few stalked glands and each one contains 1 to 11 achenes, with an average of 7. Hips may remain on plants through the winter.

Habitat

It tolerates a wide range of site conditions and is able to invade forests, fields, pastures, riparian areas, and many other habitats. It grows over all of the eastern U.S as well as the west coast states and British Columbia. In Washington, multiflora rose appears to have scattered populations throughout the state, but distribution data may be lacking. Click here to view herbarium records from the Consortium of Pacific Northwest Herbaria.

Spread Mechanisms

Reproduction

Plants spread by seed as well as by cane tips taking root once they contact the soil. Birds eat and spread the seeds.

Mechanical