Isabelle Dijols removes invasive Multiflora rose, Morris Park, Philadelphia
Isabelle Dijols removes invasive Multiflora rose, Morris Park, Philadelphia
A Website about Urban Environmental Restoration in Fairmount Park, Philadelphia
Faunal Associations: The abundant and showy pollen of the flowers attracts various long-tongued bees, including honey bees and bumblebees. These insects are the primary pollinators of the flowers. The pollen of the flowers also attracts short-tongued Halictid bees, Syrphid flies, bee flies, and beetles. The bees collect pollen for the grubs in their nests or hives, while the remaining insects feed on pollen. The flowers of most roses do not provide nectar. Because roses are important in horticulture, the insect species that feed on their foliage, flowers, and shoots are fairly well-known and documented. These insect feeders include the larvae of shoot-boring beetles, flea beetles, scarab beetles, aphids, the larvae of sawflies, the larvae of gall wasps, the larvae of moths, and thrips (see the Insect Table for a listing of these species). Rose hips are eaten by such upland gamebirds and songbirds as the Greater Prairie Chicken, Ring-Necked Pheasant, Ruffed Grouse, Yellow-Breasted Chat, Northern Mockingbird, and Fox Sparrow. The twigs and foliage are often browsed by the White-Tailed Deer and other hoofed mammalian browsers, notwithstanding the thorns. Rose hips are sometimes eaten by the White-Footed Mouse, while the lower shoots and foliage of young plants are occasionally eaten by the Cottontail Rabbit. The birds and mammals that eat rose hips help to distribute the seeds far and wide. The dense foliage and armed shoots of the Multiflora Rose provide excellent cover and nesting habitat for the Brown Thrasher, Northern Mockingbird, Yellow-Breasted Chat, and other songbirds.