North Carolina Native Plant Society

Rank 1 - Severe Threat ^(*)

(Shrubby) Vine

Blooms

I've heard it was originally introduced as a help against erosion. I'm sure it worked well for that. It even has pretty and sweet-scented blooms in spring!

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Rampant Grower

However... it is a RAMPANT grower. The healthy plants tower over my head.

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Stem

The new growth is arching stems - the one below is only 8 feet long, and it was just one I could easily reach and cut to photograph.

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Underneath

The new growth builds on top of last years dead wood, making an almost impenetrable tangle of thorny twisted branches.

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

In The Trees

When the long branches find a tree limb to rest against, they hook over it and then you have a rosebush in a tree.
New branches start in all directions, climbing and clawing their way heavenward.

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister

Rootstock

If a long branch can't find a nice high place to rest, it will bend down to touch the earth, rooting there and beginning yet another plant. The old branches must all be cut, for many of them are not actually deadwood... and will sprout new growth if they get sunlight.
(Leather gloves are a *must*!)

Clippers aren't really big enough. Below, see a medium-sized rootstock. Fortunately a pruning saw will make short work of this, but where would you put the debris? The thorns take about forever to disintegrate. At least I've never heard of it being poisonous to burn, like poison ivy is!

Black Mountain
© MB Baumeister