Sweet briar (Rosa rubiginosa)

Also known as: eglantine

Sweet briar is a prickly shrub with fragrant leaves and flowers. It outcompetes plants in pastures and native vegetation.

This plant should not be sold in parts of NSW

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How does this weed affect you?

Sweet briar forms dense thickets and it can:

outcompete native plants
compete with pastures, reducing productivity
restrict livestock movement including access to water
restrict vehicle movement
harbour pest animals, especially rabbits.

What does it look like?

Sweet briar is an prickly, upright, multi-stemmed shrub usually 1.5–2 m tall, sometimes growing to 3 m. Plants are deciduous, losing their leaves in autumn. Some of the canes also die off and new canes grow in spring.

Leaves are:

fragrant, and smell like apples when crushed
alternate along the stem
made up of 5 to 7 leaflets, 2 to 3 opposite pairs and one leaflet at the end. Each leaflet is:
- 1.0–3.0 cm long and 0.5–2.0 cm wide
- oval to circular
- toothed along the edges
- smooth or hairy on top, and hairy underneath.

Flowers are:

pink or white
2–4 cm wide
made up of 5 petals surrounded by long, green sepals at the base
single or in loose clusters of up to 3 flowers, at the ends of the branches
fragrant
usually present in late spring.

Fruit (hips) are:

red or orange-red when ripe
round or egg-shaped and usually contain 15-50 seeds
1.5–2 cm long
present from November to early summer.

Sometimes there are a few fine scattered prickles at the top end of the fruit, near the stalk.

Seeds are:

yellow, orange or light brown
up to 7 mm long
irregularly, slightly diamond shaped.

Stems are:

covered in backward curving prickles up to 1.5 cm long
green or red when young
rough and woody with age
arching at the top of the plant.

Roots are:

shallow, usually confined to the top 30 cm of soil
extensive and can be at least 1 m long.

Similar looking plants

Sweet briar looks similar to:

Dog rose (Rosa canina), which has smaller fruit (only up to 1 cm long) and hairless leaves.
Macartney rose (Rosa bracteata), which has densely hairy branches and fruit. The flowers are white and up to 7 cm in diameter.

Where is it found?

Sweet briar is widespread in NSW, though it is rarely found on the coast. It is most common in the cooler, high rainfall areas on the tablelands. Infestations have been recorded in the Northern Tablelands, North West, Central Tablelands, Central West, upper Hunter, and South East, Murray and Riverina regions.

It is native to Europe.

What type of environment does it grow in?

Sweet briar grows in cool temperate climates, usually with more than 600 mm of annual rainfall. In lower rainfall areas, plants can grow in moist gullies and protected sites. Sweet briar tolerates a wide range of soil types, though it grows best in well-drained moderately fertile soils.

Sweet briar has been found growing:

in alpine and sub-alpine vegetation
on rocky outcrops
along riparian areas and in gullies
in lowland grasslands and grassy woodlands
in dry and damp sclerophyll forests and woodlands
in disturbed sites including along roadsides and fencelines.

Maps and records

Recorded presence of Sweet briar during property inspections (Map: Biosecurity Information System - Weeds, 2017-2026)
These records are made by authorised officers during property inspections under the Biosecurity Act 2015. Officers record the presence of priority weeds in their council area and provide this to the NSW Department of Primary Industries. Records reflect the presence of the weed on the date of inspection.

How does it spread?

By seed

Sweet briar first flowers and fruits when plants are 3 years old. The seeds can survive in the soil for up to 4 years and germinate at any time of year. Sweet briar is mainly spread by birds and animals (including foxes) that eat the fruit. Fruits and seeds can also be spread by moving water.

References

Clements, B., Dellow, J.J. & McCaffery, A.C. (2005). Sweet briar, Primefact 88. NSW DPI, Orange.

Muyt, A. (2001). Bush invaders of South-East Australia: a guide to the identification and control of environmental weeds found in South-East Australia. RG and FJ Richardson.

Parsons, W.T. & Cuthbertson, E. G. (2001). Noxious weeds of Australia. 2nd edition. CSIRO publishing.

PlantNET (The NSW Plant Information Network System). Royal Botanic Gardens and Domain Trust, Sydney. Retrieved 22 January 2026 from: https://plantnet.rbgsyd.nsw.gov.au/cgi-bin/NSWfl.pl?page=nswfl&lvl=sp&name=Rosa~rubiginosa

VicFlora (2026). Flora of Victoria, Royal Botanic Gardens Victoria. Available online: https://vicflora.rbg.vic.gov.au (accessed on: 22 Jan. 2026).

More information

Control

Control plants within the first 3 years before they start producing seeds.

Physical removal

By hand

Small plants can be dug out by hand. Remove all the crown and as many roots as possible to prevent regrowth.

By machine

Machinery can be used for large infestations when there are no desirable plants amongst the thickets. This is easier and more effective when the ground is moist.

Disposal

Dispose of fruit to prevent new plants. Contact your local council for advice on disposal.

Pasture management

Establish and maintain vigorous perennial pastures as soon as possible after sweet briar is removed. Consult your local agronomist for advice on pasture establishment and appropriate pasture management.

Grazing/browsing

Grazing can be useful in controlling sweet briar. It is highly palatable to goats and they will readily browse established plants and seedlings.. Sheep will graze young seedlings, more so than cattle. Sweet briar is highly palatable to goats. They will readily browse established plants and seedlings. Continuous browsing by livestock can ringbark and kill established shrubs.

Cultivation

Deep cultivation kills most of the roots. However, it can be difficult if the bushes are large or dense. Follow up with further cultivation in summer ensures that the remaining roots are exposed and killed. Cultivating in autumn before sowing pastures or crops will remove remaining seedlings.

Monitor treated areas regularly and treat any regrowth.

Chemical control

Spraying

Spray actively growing plants. This is usually best during late spring to early autumn when plants have all their leaves (refer to the chemical label for the most appropriate time). Spray all the foliage. Do not treat infestations when the plant is stressed.

Basal barking

This can be used for small bushes with stems less than 5 cm in diameter. Apply herbicide all the way around each stem to a height of 30–40 cm above the ground on actively growing plants. Ensure that stems and bark are not wet at the time of application as water will repel the diesel mixture.

Splatter gun

Splatter-guns use small amounts of concentrated herbicide. They spray large droplets that limit spray drift. They are useful for very dense infestations of weeds that are difficult to reach.

Cut stump method

Using gel herbicide: Cut each stem about 20 cm above the soil surface and apply herbicide gel to the cut surface within 15 seconds. The thickness of the gel layer depends on the diameter of the stems.

Using diesel and herbicides: Cut stems less than 15 cm above the ground. Immediately apply diesel mixture liberally to the freshly cut stump by spray or painting the cut surface and sides of the stem.

Root application

Care must be taken when using this technique. Many desirable trees, in particular eucalypts, are susceptible to the residual herbicides used for this control method. Do not use these chemicals within a distance of at least twice the height of adjacent desirable trees or shrubs.

Apply the herbicide to moist soil, directly under the plant near the base. Some plants may need to be treated again after 2 years if they are still partially green.

Herbicide options

WARNING - ALWAYS READ THE LABEL
Users of agricultural or veterinary chemical products must always read the label and any permit, before using the product, and strictly comply with the directions on the label and the conditions of any permit. Users are not absolved from compliance with the directions on the label or the conditions of the permit by reason of any statement made or not made in this information. To view permits or product labels go to the Australian Pesticides and Veterinary Medicines Authority website www.apvma.gov.au

See Using herbicides for more information.

PERMIT 11916 Expires 30/09/2030
Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut the stems and cover the surface of the cut stump with herbicide. For large trunks make a series of holes or cuts all the way around the trunk with a drill or axe. Inject the herbicide into the holes or cuts. For use in urban bushland, native forests and coastal reserves. See permit and label for critical comments.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

2,4-D 300 g/L + Picloram 75 g/L (Tordon® 75-D)
Rate: 650 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Full leaf as an overall spray.
Withholding period: Do not graze or cut crops (except sugar cane 8 weeks) or pastures for stock food for 7 days after application.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1.5–2.0 L in 100 L of water
Comments: Spray to wet all foliage, from late flowering to leaf fall. Use higher rate on bushes over 1.5 m high.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Glyphosate 360 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 1 part per 9 parts water
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Apply 2 by 5 mL doses per 0.5 m of bush height.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 9 (previously group M), Inhibition of 5-enolpyruvyl shikimate-3 phosphate synthase (EPSP inhibition)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Hexazinone 250 g/L (Velpar® L)
Rate: Undiluted (4 mL per spot)
Comments: One spot per metre of height. Do not apply near desirable trees.
Withholding period: No stated withholding period.
Herbicide group: 5 (previously group C), Inhibition of photosynthesis at photosystem II - D1 Serine 264 binders (and other nonhistidine binders) (PS II Serine 264 inhibitors)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Metsulfuron-methyl 300 g/kg + Aminopyralid 375 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 20 g per 100 L of water (always add a Wetter 100 mL/100L)
Comments: Spray to thoroughly wet all foliage but not run-off. Avoid spraying when leaf fall has started or after the end of February. Wetter 1000g/L non-ionic alcohol alkoxylate (TITAN WETTER 1000 or BS1000 or equivalent).
Withholding period: Pastures - Grazing for meat production or cutting for animal feed: Do not graze for 56 days after application. See label for further details
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors) + 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: High/Moderate

Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 10 g in 100 L of water plus non-ionic surfactant 100 mL per 100 L of spray volume
Comments: Spray actively growing bushes to point of run. Do not apply after end of February.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

Metsulfuron-methyl 600 g/kg (Various products)
Rate: 1 g/L + organosilicone penetrant
Comments: Gas gun / Splatter gun application. Apply during the flowering period. Ensure thorough coverage of all leaves and stems.
Withholding period: Nil (recommended not to graze for 7 days before treatment and for 7 days after treatment to allow adequate chemical uptake in target weeds).
Herbicide group: 2 (previously group B), Inhibition of acetolactate and/or acetohydroxyacid synthase (ALS, AHAS inhibitors)
Resistance risk: High

Picloram 100 g/L + Triclopyr 300 g/L + Aminopyralid 8 g/L (Grazon® Extra)
Rate: 500 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spray plants up 1.5m tall. Full leaf to ripe fruit prior to leaf fall. Thorough wetting including the crown is recommended.
Withholding period: Where product is used to control woody weeds in pastures there is a restriction of 12 weeks for use of treated pastures for making hay and silage; using hay or other plant material for compost, mulch or mushroom substrate; or using animal waste from animals grazing on treated pastures for compost, mulching, or spreading on pasture/crops.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Picloram 44.7 g/L + Aminopyralid 4.47 g/L (Vigilant II ®)
Rate: Undiluted
Comments: Cut stump application. Apply a 3–5 mm layer of gel onto stems less than 2 cm diameter. Apply 5 mm layer on stems above 2 cm diameter.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Triclopyr 240 g/L + Picloram 120 g/L (Access™ )
Rate: 1.0 L in 60 L of diesel (or biodiesel such as Biosafe).
Comments: Basal bark application for plants with stems up to 5 cm diameter at the base. Cut stump application for plants with stems up to and more than 5 cm diameter at the base. Apply herbicide immediately after the cut. Do not treat in winter.
Withholding period: Nil
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Triclopyr 300 g/L + Picloram 100 g/L (Various products)
Rate: 500 mL in 100 L of water
Comments: Spray plants up to 1.5 m tall. Thoroughly wet the plants including all the foliage and the crown.
Withholding period: Nil.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Triclopyr 600 g/L (Garlon® 600)
Rate: 1.0 L in 30 L of diesel
Comments: Basal bark application for plants with stems up to 5 cm diameter at the base. Cut stump application for plants with a diameter up to, or more than 5 cm at the base.
Withholding period: Not required when used as directed. If use is off-label check permit.
Herbicide group: 4 (previously group I), Disruptors of plant cell growth (Auxin mimics)
Resistance risk: Moderate

Biosecurity duty

The content provided here is for information purposes only and is taken from the NSW Biosecurity Act 2015 and its subordinate legislation, and the Regional Strategic Weed Management Plans (published by each Local Land Services region in NSW). It describes the state and regional priorities for weeds in New South Wales, Australia.

Area	Duty
All of NSW	General Biosecurity Duty All pest plants are regulated with a general biosecurity duty to prevent, eliminate or minimise any biosecurity risk they may pose. Any person who deals with any plant, who knows (or ought to know) of any biosecurity risk, has a duty to ensure the risk is prevented, eliminated or minimised, so far as is reasonably practicable.
North West	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
Northern Tablelands	Regional Recommended Measure * (for Regional Priority - Asset Protection) Land managers should mitigate the risk of the plant being introduced to their land. Land managers should mitigate spread of the plant from their land. A person should not buy, sell, move, carry or release the plant into the environment. Land managers should reduce the impact of the plant on assets of high economic, environmental and/or social value.
	*To see the Regional Strategic Weeds Management Plans containing demonstrated outcomes that fulfil the general biosecurity duty for this weed click here

For technical advice and assistance with identification please contact your local council weeds officer.

Reviewed 2026