Rosa carolina

Rosa carolina, commonly known as the Carolina rose,[2] pasture rose, or prairie rose, is a shrub in the rose family native to eastern North America. It can be found in nearly all US states and Canadian provinces east of the Great Plains. It is common throughout its range and can be found in a wide variety of open habitats, from thickets and open woods to roadsides and along railroads.

Rosa carolina
flowers and leaves

Secure  (NatureServe)[1]
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
Clade: Tracheophytes
Clade: Angiosperms
Clade: Eudicots
Clade: Rosids
Order: Rosales
Family: Rosaceae
Genus: Rosa
Species:
R. carolina
Binomial name
Rosa carolina

Description
Painting of the Carolina rose by Mary E. Eaton from a 1917 issue of National Geographic

The stems have straight, needle-like thorns, which distinguishes it from very similar species such as R. palustris and R. virginiana, which have curved thorns. The fragrant flowers emerge in early summer.[1] Blooms are about 6 to 8 centimeters (2.5 to 3 inches) in diameter, with five light pink petals and a yellow center. Flowers are typically borne singly on the ends of the current year's growth. There is no repeat bloom. The stems of the rose are upright, grayish in color on new growth, and brown on larger, older branches. Foliage is smooth and dark green. The plants proliferate by root spread. New growth will eventually become small to large thickets, anywhere from 0.5 to 1 m (18 to 40 inches) in height.[3][4]

Habitat

The Carolina rose is frequently found in a wide range of habitats, including dry soils, at the border of prairies, woodlands, and savannas, in thickets, in upland forested areas, and dunes. It also grows in wet soils along stream beds, swamps and low grassy areas. It has a wide range, from Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Ontario.[3]

Cultivation

The carolina rose can be cultivated. It needs full sun to moderate shade, well-drained soil and regular watering to thrive. The rose hips are edible, although very tart in flavor. The plant is attractive to several species of bees.[3]

References
  1. NatureServe (2006), "Rosa carolina", NatureServe Explorer: An online encyclopedia of life, Version 6.1., Arlington, Virginia, retrieved 2007-06-13
  2. "Rosa carolina". Natural Resources Conservation Service PLANTS Database. USDA. Retrieved 23 October 2015.
  3. Taylor, David. "Carolina rose". U.S. Forest Service. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
  4. "Rosa Carolina". Missouri Botanical Gardens. Retrieved 31 July 2020.
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