California Rose is the most common native rose of California, forming dense thickets along streams, wetlands, and moist canyon walls throughout the state. It is a tall, vigorous shrub reaching 6–8 feet with clustered deep pink flowers and small, round to pear-shaped red hips. It is highly important in California riparian ecosystems, providing nesting habitat for birds, bank stabilization, and food resources year-round. The species is also common in Oregon and Baja California, making it one of the key native shrubs of western riparian corridors.
Best time to see a California Rose
The best time to see a California Rose is April–July, when about 62% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 11,473 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a California Rose? What plant is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent California Rose sightings near you
Live, research-grade observations from iNaturalist. Allow location to center the map on you.
Spotted a California Rose?
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