By David Patriquin
Adapted from a post made on July 6, 2023.
As in 2023, Rosa multiflora us at peak flowering time right now.
Two stages in which R. multiflora is quite readily seen and identified in Halifax area – left when it is in flower, early July; right in winter when clusters red berries stand out (if not already consumed by birds)
Click on images for larger versions
It’s peak flowering time for Rosa multiflora, an invasive species that can be challenging to remove once it gets well established. The plants are readily spotted when they are flowering, so its a good time to be on the lookout for them, especially when they are just getting established and are most readily controlled.
To my knowledge, and from the records on an iNaturalist Project for multiflora rose (likely under-reported), it hasn’t yet gained a significant foothold in the undeveloped lands of the Backlands proper. However, it has been noted in a few spots and it is socked into many areas along trails and roadsides in nearby areas, e.g. along much of Purcell’s Cove Road and in the area of Connaught Battery.
Multiflora rose growing over Jack Pine at the edge of the open field at Connaught Battery Park, July 6, 2023
The key to keeping multiflora rose out of the undeveloped Backlands is to be vigilant and attack it early where it gets a bit of a foothold. That can involve completely removing the plant, roots and all – sometimes next to impossible without major disruption & use of a bobcat (machine, not the animal!) &/or ugh, glyphosate – or simply cutting it back every couple years to prevent flowering and seed production; such cutting back also weakens the plants, making them less competitive with native species. The Williams Lake Conservation Company folks have had some success in this regard, stopping its spread in the area of the parking lot for the Shaw Wilderness Park, and by the dam on Williams Lake (Thx M.D.!)
If you see multiflora rose anywhere in the undeveloped Backlands, as possible, please photograph it and upload the photo(s) to iNaturalist so it appears on the project map. It would be helpful as well, to upload photos (with locations) of plants observed within a few hundred meters of the undeveloped Backlands, so we can keep a special eye on those areas.
For more info, view:
– backlandscoalition.ca/Natural History/Flora and Fauna/Exotic & Invasive Plants
– backlandscoalition.ca/Natural History/Flora and Fauna/Exotic & Invasive Plants/Rosa multiflora
– Invasive & Exotic Plants are making their way into the Backlands 13Jun2021
– N.Y. Invasive Species Information: Multiflora Rose
Description of the species, its impacts and how to control it.
– Multiflora rose, an invasive that crept up on us in Halifax, NS
Post on www.versicolor.ca/sandylakebedford Aug 9, 2019
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