Rosa carolina L.
 

Rosa carolina L. var. deamii (Erlanson) Deam  
Rosa carolina L. var. glandulosa (Crép.) Farw.  
Rosa carolina L. var. grandiflora (Baker) Rehder  
Rosa carolina L. var. lyonii (Pursh) Palmer & Steyerm.  
Rosa carolina L. var. obovata (Raf.) Deam  
Rosa carolina L. var. sabulosa Erlanson 
Rosa carolina L. var. villosa (Best) Rehder  
Rosa lyonii Pursh  
Rosa palmeri Rydb.  
Rosa serrulata Raf.  
Rosa subserrulata Rydb.  
Rosa texarkana Rydb. 


Carolina rose
pasture rose
low wild rose
dwarf wild rose
sand rose

Latin name / of carolina


USDA ROCA4


PE PQ ON NB NS MN IA MO AR NE KS TX OK WI IL MI IN OH KY TN LA MS FL AL GA SC NC VA WV MD PA NJ NY CT MA VT NH ME 
planted in zones 4-9


Leaf: Alternate, pinnately compound, deciduous, 4 inches overall; 5 to 7 broadly elliptical leaflets, each 1/2 to 2 inches long, serrate, green and glabrous above and below, large comb-like stipules present at the base of the petiole.
Flower: Very showy and fragrant, initially bright pink then fading to nearly white, 2 inches across, 5-petalled; appearing singly (usually) or in small clusters in late spring to early summer.
Fruit: Shiny red, fleshy "hip" containing achenes, to 3/4 inch long; ripening late summer and persisting.
Twig: Moderate, initially green, turning red-brown or gray, bearing slender and straight prickles; buds red, rounded.
Bark: Light brown and may be spine-covered.
Form: A thicket-forming shrub, reaches 3 to 5 feet but more commonly 2 feet tall.



Site: Found in abandoned pastureland, thin woods, and along edges.  It can tolerate but is not restricted to dry soils.

Tidbits: The hips are eaten by a variety of animals.  This native rose is planted, but is not favored because it blooms once and forms thickets.


Confuse with Rosa canina, which has curved prickles.
Rosa rubiginosa sweetbriar rose is much more robust, gets much taller, and bears 3/4 inch fruits.


    



Status code 1

2 3 0 0 0 1  



alternate 
fleshy
pink
broadleaf
NULL
pinnately
unlobed
serrate
ovate orbicular
1
thin
fuzzless straight zigzag
NULL
narrow
3
scaly short 
spines numerous single
NULL
NULL
bramble
mesic dry