Principal source: Munger, 2002 Rosa multiflora
Compiler: National Biological Information Infrastructure (NBII) & IUCN/SSC Invasive Species Specialist Group (ISSG)
Review: Dr Sara Drake. Department of Plant Biology, University of Georgia, Athens. USA
Publication date: 2005-01-26
Recommended citation: Global Invasive Species Database (2025) Species profile: Rosa multiflora. Downloaded from http://www.iucngisd.org/gisd/species.php?sc=215 on 14-02-2025.
\r\nChemical: Where appropriate, herbicides may be an effective means of controlling R. multiflora, especially when used in combination with other methods. Foliar spraying is effective throughout the growing season as long as leaves are fully formed. Dormant season application is also effective, and further reduces nontarget mortality. Basal bark treatment, applied to the lower 46 to 6cm of the stem and onto the root crown, is a recommended chemical control method for dormant season application. Follow-up monitoring and retreatment during the subsequent growing season may be required to ensure effectiveness.
\r\nBiological: R. multiflora is highly susceptible to rose rosette disease (RRD), which is transmitted by the eriophyid mite Phyllocoptes fructiphilus. Based on field experiments, Amrine and Stasny project that RRD has the potential to eliminate over 90 % of the R. multiflora in areas of dense stands. RRD can also be transmitted to healthy R. multiflora plants by grafting buds from symptomatic plants. Introducing a few infected grafts into relatively dense stands can potentially lead to widespread infection within a R. multiflora population.
\r\nAnother potential biocontrol agent is the rose seed chalcid (Megastigmus aculeatus), a Japanese wasp that has become established in the eastern United States. The adult wasps oviposit into developing R. multiflora ovules, where larvae later consume seeds.
\r\nDefoliation experiments indicate periodic browsing of foliage by livestock may effectively control R. multiflora. Domestic sheep and goats will feed on leaves, new buds, and new shoots. Cattle are much less effective in controlling R. multiflora.
\r\nIntegrated management: Munger (2002) states that, \"Well-established populations are unlikely to be eradicated with a single treatment, regardless of method. Because seeds remain viable in soil for many years, and because new seeds may be continually imported by birds and other animals, effective management requires post-treatment monitoring and spot treatment are needed for an indeterminate time to prevent reinvasion.\" The author goes on to report that, \"R. multiflora can be controlled by periodic mowing or cutting of individual plants. Painting or spraying cut stems with herbicides expedites control by killing root systems and preventing resprouting. Another approach is to follow an initial mowing with foliar applied herbicide once plants have resprouted. In high quality natural areas, cutting individual stems may be preferable to mowing, since repeated mowing might damage sensitive native plants.\"
\r\nFor large infestations, mowing may be preferable due to efficiency. Periodic annual mowing can also prevent R. multiflora seedlings from becoming established. Removal of entire plants may be feasible in high quality natural areas when populations are sparse enough. Removal of the entire root system is required to ensure no regrowth from suckering.