Rosa rubiginosa Sweet-briar

An upright Rose which does not have markedly arched or climbing stems. It has a fruity scent (not obvious to some people) which earns it the name of Sweet-briar. The attractive pink flowers are somewhat larger than those of Rosa micrantha and the sepals remain spreading on the hips. Large and small prickles which are strongly curved are produced on the stems (see photos) and some stems may also have stout acicles. Like Rosa micrantha, the leaves and peduncles are conspicuously glandular but the upright stature, the non-deflexed, spreading calyx segments on the hips and the variously sized prickles are all good characters that will separate Rosa rubiginosa from Rosa micrantha. It is a species of calcareous or basic soils, often in open areas where its upright habit does not require support. However it is also found in hedgerows. It is widespread in Britain but much more common in the south and it is scattered in south Wales, but rare in the west. It is uncommon in West Glamorgan with a few sites in Gower and some coastal sites in Swansea Bay, e.g. Crymlyn Burrows and Baglan Energy Park.

Native, but occasionally planted