General Species Description
- Sweetbriar rose is a deciduous shrub usually between one and two meters tall. It is the only rose in the Northwest that is not native. It is an escaped ornamental. Flowers are normally several to a cluster. Thorns are very thick and curve strongly downward similar to a cat's claw. This rose has leaves which give off a sweet aroma when crushed and on warm days this scent can be noticed in the air.
Leaves
- Leaves are compound, 5-7 leaflets per leaf, lower leaves have many tiny spines. Leaves are sweet-smelling when crushed and they are rounder and more deeply serrate than the native roses.
Inflorescence/Flowers
- : Flowers are dark pink, petals five to a flower up to 2 cm long. Blooms June through July.
Fruits
- Hips are almost round, 1 - 1.5 cm in length, and are bright red.
Habitat
- Found in wetlands, pastures, drainage ditches, open fields and other sunny locations. Sweetbrier rose is shade intolerant. It can be found growing in association with the native roses (nutkana, pisocarpa, and gymnocarpa).
Range
- Occurs along the East Coast of the United States, and in the Northwest from the coast to the foothills of the Western Cascades.
Similar Species
- Very similar to the native roses especially pisocarpa, but distinctive because of the rounder leaf shape and the size and shape of the thorns which are very stout and strongly down-curving.
Ecological Value
- Can provide a protective screen for other, more delicate plants and is a nesting habitat.
Human Value
- Rose hips are edible, a valuable source of vitamin C, and are used in various herbal preparations from tea to nutritional supplements. Also used as an ornamental hedge, alone or in rows.
References
- Cooke, S. S., ed. 1997. A Field Guide to the Common Wetland Plants of Western Washington & Northwestern Oregon. Seattle Audubon Society and Washington Native Plant Society. Seattle Audubon Society, Seattle, WA, 43-45 pp. Guard, B. J., ed. 1995. Wetland Plants of Oregon and Washington. Lone Star Publishing, Richmond, WA 183pp
This page was created by: Brook Holter, August 1999
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Oregon's Wetland Plants