Bransford, W.D. Mrs., NPIN

Family: Rosaceae (Rose Family)

Synonym(s):

Duration: Perennial

Habit: Shrub

Listed by:
Invasive Plant Atlas of the US: 1
Federal Noxious Weed: 0
TDA Noxious Weed: 0
TPWD Prohibited Exotic Species: 0

Description: Evergreen. Erect climbing, arching, or trailing shrubs to 10 feet (3 m) in height or length. Clump forming. Frequent recurved and straight thorns. Leaves are alternate and pinnately compound with toothed margins. Each leaflet is 1 - 3 in. long. Flowers occur in small clusters, and are white and 5-petaled, with many yellow anthers in the center. Hips (fruit) are round and fleshy, 0.25 - 0.4 in. in diameter, green or yellow but ripening to red.

History: Introduced from Asia. Traditionally planted as ornamentals, livestock containment, and wildlife habitat. Brought to southeast Texas in the past century for use as a natural hedge row. Spread to pastures and ranges by cattle and bird-dispersed seeds.

Biology & Spread: Vegetative sprouting from the stem base and stem rooting results in onsite colonization. Spreads primarily via dispersal of seeds by both birds and cattle. Seeds readily germinate from cattle feces. Flowers April to June, and fruits July to December.

Individual plants of Macartney rose form dense clumps several yards in diameter and as high as 10 feet, later coalescing to form dense thickets.

Ecological Threat: Macartney rose forms dense thickets, displacing native grasses such as the endangered white bladderpod, and altering native wildlife habitat. Greatly decreases forage productivity of cattle pasture and adds to the economic burden of land managers.

US Habitat: Form small-to-large infestations often climbing up into trees. Colonize by prolific sprouting and stems that root, and spread by animal-dispersed seeds. Prefers clayey soil. Grows in disturbed areas including cattle rangeland, right-of-ways, fence lines, drainage ditches, and river bottoms. Can spread to the understories of open forests.

Distribution

US Nativity: Introduced to U.S.

Native Origin: China (); NatureServe Explorer

US States: AL, AR, FL, GA, KY, LA, MS, NC, SC, TN, TX, VA

Resembles/Alternatives: Texas alternatives include:
Purple poppy mallow (Callirhoe involucrata)
Scarlet mallow (Hibiscus laevis)
Rose mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos)

Management: Cultural: Do not plant. Remove prior plantings, and control sprouts and seedlings. Bag and dispose of fruit in a dumpster or burn.

Mechanical: Cut and bulldoze when fruit are not present. Manual pulling is hindered by thorny branches and is limited to new seedlings. Pull new seedlings and tree wrench saplings when soil is moist, ensuring removal of all roots.

Chemical: Treat when new plants are young to prevent seed formation. For range conditions, apply herbicide such as 2,4-D + picloram directly to plant during the spring. Cattle that have been feeding on hips (fruits) should not be moved to uninfested pasture for risk of seed spread.

USE PESTICIDES WISELY: ALWAYS READ THE ENTIRE PESTICIDE LABEL CAREFULLY, FOLLOW ALL MIXING AND APPLICATION INSTRUCTIONS AND WEAR ALL RECOMMENDED PERSONAL PROTECTIVE GEAR AND CLOTHING. CONTACT YOUR STATE DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE FOR ANY ADDITIONAL PESTICIDE USE REQUIREMENTS, RESTRICTIONS OR RECOMMENDATIONS. MENTION OF PESTICIDE PRODUCTS ON THIS WEB SITE DOES NOT CONSTITUTE ENDORSEMENT OF ANY MATERIAL.

Listing Source

Texas Department ofAgriculture Noxious Plant List
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department Prohibited Exotic Species
Invaders Program
Federal Noxious Weed
Union of Concerned Scientists
United States Forest Service Southern Research Station

Text References

Alfred Rehder. 1967. Manual of Cultivated Trees and Shrubs: Hardy in North America, The MacMillan Co., New York.

Miller, J.H. 2003. Nonnative invasive plants of southern forests: a field guide for identification and control. Gen. Tech. Rep. SRS-62. Asheville, NC: U.S. Department of Agriculture, Forest Service, Southern Research Station. 93 pp (USDA SRS).

The Quiet Invasion: A Guide to Invasive Plants of the Galveston Bay Area (www.galvbayinvasives.org). Lisa Gonzalez and Jeff DallaRosa. Houston Advanced Research Center, 2006.

Data Source

Last Updated: 2024-02-05 by Ashley Morgan-Olvera, TISI