Rosa carolina L.

Carolina Rose; Wild Rose

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Perennial

Vascular

Carolina Rose is a native woody perennial shrub in the Rose family (Rosaceae). It can be found throughout Alabama. Carolina Rose occurs in upland woods, on roadsides, around rock outcrops, and on slopes and roadside banks. It is a perennial with a rhizomatous root system. Stems are erect, 1-3 feet in height, green in color becoming reddish brown, and armed with straight prickles (usually in pairs) and stipitate glands. The stems are usually branched above the middle. Leaves are alternate, petiolate, and 3-7 foliate. The leaflets are elliptic to oblanceolate in outline, glabrous or pubescent, with serrate margins. The petioles are pubescent or stipitate glandular and the stipules are narrow, entire or with gland tipped teeth. Fragrant flowers are produced singly or in 1-3 flowered corymbs from the axils of the upper leaves. Pedicles/peduncles are stipitate glandular. The flowers have 5 green lanceolate sepals. The sepals are reflexed or spreading with stipitate glandular margins. Each flower has 5 dark to light pink petals. The fruit is a red globose hip. Carolina Rose is sometimes available from native plant nurseries. It prefers a well-draining soil in full to partial sun. Avoid overhead watering and promote good air circulation to prevent foliar diseases.--A. Diamond

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Native FACU (NWPL)

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