Species › Plants › Prickly Rose

Prickly Rose

Rosa acicularis

CommonPlant
Illustration of Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis)

Prickly Rose is the most widespread native rose in North America, ranging from the Atlantic to the Pacific across boreal and mountain zones. It produces single pink flowers and large, plump red hips that are among the highest in vitamin C of any native fruit. Bears, grouse, and many birds rely on the persistent hips as winter food.

Habitat
Boreal forest edges, mountain meadows, and open shrublands across northern North America
Diet
Hips eaten by bears, grouse, ptarmigan, and many bird species
How common
Common

Best time to see a Prickly Rose

The best time to see a Prickly Rose is May–July, when about 64% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 1,722 research-grade iNaturalist observations.

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