Rosa acicularis (Prickly Rose) - photos and description
General: Bushy shrubs with new and old growth densely covered with straight, weak bristles.
Flowers: Flowers 1 to 3 at stem tips, have 5 petals, are pink, borne singly, very fragrant, we measured a flower to 5 cm diameter.
Leaves: Leaves alternate, compound, usually with 5 leaflets. Leaflets are elliptical to oval, serrate, we measured a leaflet at 5 cm long by 29 mm wide. Leaves glabrous on top, with small hairs on the bottom.
Height: Height listed in Budd's Flora to 120 cm, we measured plants to 130 cm tall.
Habitat: Thickets and woodlands.
Abundance: Common.
Origin: Native.
How to identify this species of Rosa: This plant might be confused with Rosa woodsii. Examine the stems, if they are densely covered with straight, weak bristles, the plant is Rosa acicularis.
When and where photographed: Photos taken June 25th, aspen woods, parklands, about 70 km southeast of our home in Regina, SK.