Rosa spp.

Prepared by Jennifer L. D’Appollonio, Assistant Scientist, University of Maine, Orono, ME 04469. Updated February 2018.

Scientific name: Rosa spp. (e.g. Rosa virginiana P. Mill., Rosa carolina L., and/or Rosa nitida Willd.)

Common name(s): e.g., Virginia rose, common wild rose, prairie rose; Carolina rose, pasture rose; and/or shining rose, New England rose

Links: e.g., Virginia – USDA PLANTS Profile, NPIN Profile ; Carolina – USDA PLANTS Profile, NPIN Profile; Shining – USDA PLANTS Profile, NPIN Profile; tips for identifying to species – Go Botany

Images: (to see enlargements [PC]: click on image, then right click and choose “view image”)

Description: 

-Rosaceae family

– flowering perennial

– thorny shrub

Leaves are

  • toothed
  • alternate
  • pinnately compound
  • odd number of leaflets
  • wrinkled

-Flowers are fragrant

  • five petaled
  • pink

-stems have thorns

– roses can be difficult to identify in wild blueberry fields because the fields are pruned every other year. Many of the physical characteristics used to identify Rosa species are often altered or absent due to regular pruning to the ground.

– roses can also hybridize, showing characteristics of both parents.

Habitat:

-variable

-full sun

-high nutrient demand

-organic matter

Natural History:

-pulpy rose hips can be eaten raw or made into a jam

-petals and hips can be steeped to make a tea

-petals can be candied

 

Sources:

Brandeis University. “Noteable Features .” Rosa Spp.; Rose, 2002, www.bio.brandeis.edu/fieldbio/bersbach/EdiblePlants/rosaceae/rosa_spp.html.