Kurtturuusu

Kurtturuusu

Latin name: Rosa rugosa

The Japanese rose – is a shrubby plant that can reach a height of one and a half meters, which is originally native to Japan. A relative newcomer to Finland and appeared in the 90s of the last century. It has straight, thick branches that can form dense thickets. The branches are profusely covered with thorns of two kinds of length. The plant forms flowers about 6 centimeters in diameter, with rich color from white to dark pink. The plant blooms in June-July. Sometimes, under favorable conditions – it blooms a second time – in early autumn. It also forms spherical fruits from orange to red color.

Rosa rugosa fruit: Photo was made by jo rivory (https://commons.wikimedia.com)(CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Competitive ability:

• It forms a powerful root system – displacing other local plant species
• Seeds are very easy to spread with birds and animals over long distances, which eat the fruits of the plant

Rosa rugosa young: Syrio (https://commons.wikimedia.com)(CC-BY-SA-4.0)

Harmful impact:

• Has a negative impact on local biodiversity
• Plantations quickly spread, actively capture the beaches of the coast of Finland, dead dry branches retain thorns for several years - changing the existing landscape of the area, causing inconvenience to residents

• From June 1, 2019, the import and sale of the plant in Finland is prohibited
• Mechanical removal is one of the most common methods; the removal of the plant must be done with the root system, so it is best to do this when the plant is still small
• Cut off young shoots of the plant - this will lead to its gradual withering away
• From June 1, 2022, a ban on plant breeding will enter

Please contact us if you discovered this species!

Main picture Rosa rugosa:
W.Carter (https://commons.wikimedia.com)( CC-BY-SA-4.0)