multiflora rose

Rosa multiflora

A single plant can produce up to 1 million seeds per year, which can remain viable in the soil for over two decades.

Scientific name
Rosa multiflora
Taxonomy
Plantae › Tracheophyta › Magnoliopsida › Rosales › Rosaceae › Rosa
IUCN Red List status
Least Concern
Population trend
increasing
Biome
forest
Habitat
Forest edges, old fields, pastures, and riparian zones.
Diet
Photosynthetic (sunlight, water, and carbon dioxide).
Range
North America, East Asia, Europe
Size
Height up to 5 meters; arching stems can spread 4 meters wide.
Lifespan
30-50 years for the root system; individual canes live 5-10 years.
Active
diurnal
Threats
Biological control agents like the rose rosette virus and rose seed chalcid.
Safe to approach?
Defensive; the sharp, recurved thorns can easily snag skin and rip clothing. Wear thick gloves and long sleeves if handling. If scratched, wash the area with soap and water to prevent infection.

Rosa multiflora (syn. Rosa polyantha ) is a species of rose known commonly as multiflora rose , baby rose , Japanese rose , many-flowered rose , seven-sisters rose , and Eijitsu 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 .

Photo: Douglas Goldman, CC-BY-SA, via iNaturalist

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