Species specifics: Macartney rose

What to look for

Macartney rose (Rosa bracteata) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the rose family that can climb or spread up to 10 feet tall and wide. It is sometimes referred to as rose hedge. Infestations often develop into dense thickets as the plant climbs over itself, displacing native grasses and grazable acres in cattle pastures.

Leaves of Macartney rose are dark green, toothed and oval, typically 1 to 3 inches long, and arranged alternating along the branches. Thorns are common and often paired along branches, either recurved or straight point. Five-petaled white flowers with yellow-anther centers emerge from April through June. Small hips or fruit, less than half an inch in diameter, develop from spent flowers from July through December, starting as green or yellow and maturing to a deep red color later in the year.

Macartney rose spreads by both sprouting from its stem base and roots and by seed. Birds and cattle often disperse seeds, which readily germinate from cow patties. Combined with a preference for clay soils and disturbed ground, this allows infestations to establish quickly across grazing pastures. Fencelines and low-lying areas are also common locations for population growth.

Like most thorny plants, cattle tend to avoid grazing near or under even small Macartney rose plants. This avoidance can lead to uneven grazing patterns and contribute to declining pasture condition over time.

Where it is found

Introduced to the United States from Asia, Macartney rose thrives in the South and Southeast, where the growing season is long and rainfall or humidity is moderate to high. It is commonly found in Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas and Virginia.

How to treat it

Controlling Macartney rose requires an effective herbicide program that includes follow-up and potential re-treatment. Apply treatments in spring or fall under good growth conditions with maturing foliage on undisturbed plants. Disturbed or shredded plants should be allowed for grow for two growing seasons before treating.

For individual plant foliar application, apply 6.6 fluid ounces of Chaparral™ herbicide or 1-2 gallons of MezaVue® herbicide per 100 gallons of total spray volume or 2 gallons of Surmount^® herbicide per 100 gallons of total spray volume.

For broadcast or aerial applications, apply 3.3 ounces of Chaparral with 32 fluid ounces of Tordon^® 22K herbicide per acre or 24-32 ounces of MezaVue herbicide per acre. Use 32 ounces of MezaVue per are for applications on mature, tall and established stands.

Monitor treated areas regularly to identify and manage regrowth or plants that were not fully controlled by the initial application.

Surmount®, MezaVue® and Tordon® 22K are Restricted Use Pesticides. Surmount, MezaVue and Tordon 22K are not registered for sale or use in all states. Contact your state pesticide regulatory agency to determine if a product is registered for sale or use in your state. Chaparral™ has no grazing or haying restrictions for any class of livestock, including lactating dairy cows, horses (including lactating mares) and meat animals prior to slaughter. Label precautions apply to forage treated with Chaparral and to manure and urine from animals that have consumed treated. Consult the label for full details. Chaparral is not registered for sale or use in all states. Always read and follow label directions.