Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina)
Rosa carolina, commonly called Carolina rose or pasture rose, is a low, deciduous shrub that typically grows 1 to 3 feet tall, though it may reach greater heights in rich soils. It spreads 1 to 5 feet wide and often expands by suckers, forming loose thickets. The plant bears fragrant pink flowers—usually solitary, sometimes in pairs or threes—measuring 2½ to 3 inches across. Its upright stems carry straight, needle‑like prickles, and the smooth, dark green compound leaves turn yellow to red in fall. Carolina rose thrives in a wide range of habitats, including dry prairies, open woods, savannas, streambanks, and roadsides, and it tolerates heat and periodic drought once established.
Ecologically, its thickets provide nesting and escape cover for birds and small mammals, while the summer blooms supply nectar and pollen for native bees. The bright red hips that form in late summer persist into winter, offering an important cold‑season food source for wildlife.
Sources:
USDA Plants Database — Rosa carolina profile
Illinois Wildflowers — Carolina Rose
Minnesota Wildflowers — Carolina Rose
Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center — Rosa carolina
Flora of North America — Rosa carolina
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