Rosa multiflora

"Baby rose" redirects here. For the music artist, see Baby Rose.

Rosa multiflora (syn. Rosa polyantha)^[2] is a species of rose known commonly as multiflora rose,^[3] baby rose,^[3] Japanese rose,^[3] many-flowered rose,^[3] seven-sisters rose,^[3] 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 regarded as an invasive species.

Rosa multiflora
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Rosa
Species:	R. multiflora
Binomial name
Rosa multiflora Thunb.
Synonyms[1]
Rosa polyantha Siebold & Zucc,. Rosa quelpaertensis H.Lév.

Description

It is a scrambling shrub climbing over other plants to a height of 3–5 m (9 ft 10 in – 16 ft 5 in), with stout stems with recurved prickles (sometimes absent). The leaves are 5–10 cm (2–4 in) long, compound, with 5–9 leaflets and feathered stipules. The flowers are produced in large corymbs, each flower small, 1.5–4 cm (5⁄8–1+5⁄8 in) diameter, white or pink, borne in early summer. The hips are reddish to purple, 6–8 mm (15⁄64–5⁄16 in) diameter.

Plants of the World Online and Flora of China^[4] include the varieties:

1. Rosa multiflora var. adenochaeta (Koidz.) Ohwi
2. Rosa multiflora var. cathayensis Rehder & E.H.Wilson. Flowers pink, to 4 cm (1+5⁄8 in) diameter.
3. Rosa multiflora var. multiflora. Flowers white, 1.5–2 cm (5⁄8–3⁄4 in) diameter.

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. It is readily distinguished from American native roses by its large inflorescences, which bear multiple flowers and hips, often more than a dozen, while the American species bear only one or a few on a branch.^{[citation needed]}

In some regions the plant is classified as a noxious weed.^[5] In grazing areas, it is generally considered to be a serious pest, though it is considered excellent fodder for goats. ^{[citation needed]}

In Japan, the achene fruits of Rosa multiflora (referred to as "Eijitsu" or "Rosae fructus") has been utilized all over the world in traditional medicine historically and clinical practices to treat constipation.^[6] The hips of the plant are edible and can be used to make tea or medicine.^[7]

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).^[8] Patches of introduced multiflora rose in Pennsylvania are displaying symptoms of rose rosette disease, which can lead to decline and death.^[9]

Gallery

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  Hips (fruits)
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  Blossom of var. cathayensis on the Kuma River of Japan.