A Thorny Threat: Multiflora Rose

Olivia Triltsch • February 26, 2026

Across Michigan’s woodlots, field edges, and public lands, a familiar plant is beginning to leaf out each spring before many native species. While its small white flowers may appear harmless, multiflora rose is one of the state’s most aggressive invasive shrubs. For hunters, landowners, and conservationists, understanding and managing this species is critical to maintaining healthy wildlife habitat.

History

Multiflora rose (Rosa multiflora) is not native to Michigan. According to the University of Illinois Extension, it was introduced to the United States from Asia in the late 1800s and promoted throughout the early-to-mid 1900s for erosion control, living fences, and wildlife conservation. Without natural predators or disease pressures to keep the population in check, the plant spread aggressively into forests, pastures, wetlands, and rights-of-way after escaping cultivation.

Status

Today, multiflora rose is considered an invasive species in Michigan and is widely distributed across both peninsulas. It thrives in disturbed areas, forest edges, agricultural lands, and unmanaged fields. While it is not currently regulated as a prohibited species statewide, it is recognized as a significant ecological threat and is actively managed on many public lands according to the Michigan Invasive Species Program (MISP). Because it spreads primarily by seed dispersal from birds and vegetative growth from stems, infestations can expand rapidly without intervention, making seasonal timing important.

Characteristics

Multiflora rose is a perennial shrub that can grow up to 15 feet tall, forming dense, thorn-covered thickets. The Michigan DNR describes long, arching branches with sharp, curved thorns that easily snag clothing. This species has compound leaves, typically with 11 leaflets, and a key identifying feature is the fringed stipule at the base of the leaf stem. In late spring to early summer, multiflora rose produces clusters of small white flowers, followed by red rose hips that persist in fall and winter. These fruits are readily eaten by birds, which spread seeds across landscapes.

Proper identification is especially important for land managers and hunters conducting habitat work. Unlike many native roses, multiflora roses tend to form dense monocultures that crowd out other plants rather than growing in scattered patches. As winter transitions to spring, multiflora rose is often one of the first shrubs to leaf out, making it easier to identify before native vegetation fully emerges.

Conservation

Although multiflora rose was once planted for wildlife cover, research and field experience have shown that dense infestations reduce overall habitat quality. Thick stands limit sunlight to the forest floor, compete with native plant regeneration, and reduce plant diversity. For ground-nesting birds and small mammals, these monocultures can actually decrease usable habitat over time. In forested systems, infestations can hinder active habitat management such as timber harvest or restoration projects.

Management typically involves mechanical removal, prescribed fire where appropriate, and targeted herbicide application. According to the University of Illinois Extension, management should take place over multiple years because multiflora rose has long-lived seed banks and can easily spread. Early detection and rapid response are far more effective than attempting to reclaim heavily infested sites. Volunteer-driven habitat projects frequently include invasive shrub removal as part of broader restoration efforts. Allowing invasive shrubs like multiflora rose to dominate reduces long-term habitat quality.

For hunters and conservationists, invasive species management is not separate from wildlife management, it is a core part of it. Healthy deer habitat, quality turkey nesting cover, and productive forest regeneration all depend on diverse native plant communities.

Image (above): An invasion of multiflora rose, courtesy of Leslie J Mehrhoff, University of Connecticut, Bugwood.org.

Learn More

Protecting Michigan’s wildlife habitat requires active stewardship. If you identify multiflora rose growing, the location can be reported to the Midwest Invasive Species Information Network. The Michigan Department of Natural Resources provides identification tools and management guidance for multiflora rose and other invasive plants. If you are interested in making a hands-on impact, Michigan United Conservation Clubs (MUCC) offers volunteer habitat improvement opportunities across the state through its award-winning On the Ground program. Many projects include invasive species removal, wetland restoration, and forest habitat improvement efforts that directly benefit game and non-game species alike. To learn more about upcoming volunteer events and how you can support conservation on Michigan’s public lands, visit https://www.mucc.org/on-the-ground.

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The Fish of 10,000 Casts

By Olivia Triltsch • February 19, 2026

Known as the “fish of 10,000 casts,” the muskellunge holds a special place in Michigan’s fishing culture. For many anglers, encountering a muskie is a rare and unforgettable experience. Beyond their reputation as a trophy fish, muskellunge play an important ecological role in Michigan’s lakes and rivers and are a clear example of why long-term, science-based fisheries management matters.