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MaCartney Rose

Rosa bracteata

Other Common Names

None for this invasive

Plant Category

Shrub

Invasive Description

Native to China, Macartney Rose is an evergreen, clump forming shrub with frequent recurved and straight thorns. White, five-petaled flowers have many yellow anthers in the center and occur in small clusters. Hips (fruit) are round and fleshy, 0.25 – 0.4 in. in diameter, green or yellow, ripening to red in fall and winter. Historically, Macartney Rose was planted on Texas landscapes as a living fence.

Ecological Threat

Macartney Rose forms dense thickets altering native wildlife habitat. It greatly decreases forage productivity of cattle pasture. Vegetative sprouting from the stem base and stem rooting results in onsite colonization. The plant spreads via dispersal of seeds by both birds and cattle. Seeds readily germinate from cattle feces. Individual plants form dense clumps several yards in diameter and as high as 10 feet, coalescing to form dense thickets.

How to Eradicate

For information on how to eradicate this invasive, view our statement on herbicide use and preferred alternatives for invasive plants.

Native Alternatives

You can replace this invasive plant with native alternatives. Here are some plants that make superior replacements.

Match your location on the Texas map to the color squares on the replacement plants below to find suitable replacements for your ecoregion.

Click for more details about the ecoregions