Native Plant Database

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Vick, Albert F. W.

Rosa virginiana P. Mill.

Virginia rose

Rosaceae (Rose Family)

USDA Symbol: ROVI2

USDA Native Status: Native to U.S.

The hairy stems of this bushy shrub have scattered, stout, curved thorns, pink flowers and pinnately compound leaves.

Numerous species of roses occur in a variety sites, from dry uplands to wetlands and sand dunes. Their fruit, the rose hips, is rich in vitamin C, and can be eaten, made into jams, or steeped to make rose hips tea. Another pink species, this one of wet sites, is Swamp Rose (R. palustris), which grows to 7 (2.1 m), has flowers 1 1/2-2 1/2 (3.8-6.3 cm) wide, very narrow stipules, and stout, hooked thorns. Pasture Rose (R. carolina) is a shorter shrub, not more than 3 (90 cm) tall, with pink flowers, dull green leaves, very narrow stipules, and straight thorns. It is found in dry pastures and open woods throughout most of eastern North America.

 

From the Image Gallery

Plant Characteristics

Duration: Perennial
Habit: Shrub
Leaf Color: Green
Fruit Color: Red

Bloom Information

Bloom Color: Pink , Yellow , Purple
Bloom Time: Jun , Jul , Aug

Distribution

USA: AL , CT , DE , GA , IL , ME , MD , MA , MO , NH , NJ , NY , NC , PA , RI , TN , VT , VA , DC
Canada: NB , NL , NS , ON , PE , QC
Native Distribution: Southern Ontario to Newfoundland and Nova Scotia; south to Virginia and North Carolina; west to Alabama, Tennessee, and Missouri.
Native Habitat: Clearings, thickets, and shores.
USDA Native Status: L48(N), CAN(N), SPM(N)

Growing Conditions

Water Use: Medium
Light Requirement: Part Shade , Shade
Soil Moisture: Moist
CaCO3 Tolerance: Low

Benefit

Use Food: The fruit, known as hips, contains Vitamin C and can be used to make tea and jelly. (Clough)
Warning: Plant has thorns or prickles.
Conspicuous Flowers: yes

Find Seed or Plants

View propagation protocol from Native Plants Network.

Additional resources

USDA: Find Rosa virginiana in USDA Plants
FNA: Find Rosa virginiana in the Flora of North America (if available)
Google: Search Google for Rosa virginiana

Metadata

Record Modified: 2007-01-01
Research By: TWC Staff

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