How to Identify a Wild White Rose Bush

Each wild white rose flower has five petals with numerous stamens.

Wild white rose varieties include the Rosa laevigata "Cherokee Rose," the official state flower of Georgia, and the Rosa woodsii Lindl. Wild roses require no maintenance and grow in a wide range of soil types. The wild rose can be found in open woods, prairies and dry slopes. Identifying the wild white rose can help you manage these plants when you use them for your landscape.

Instructions

1. Examine the flowers. Wild white roses come in clusters, with each flower having five petals and numerous stamens, the organs containing pollen. Colors can range from white to dark rose.

2. Notice the leaves. Wild white roses have small, oval leaves that alternate on the stem, have teeth on the edges, and have shiny surfaces.

3. Observe the stems. Wild white roses have gray or reddish-brown stems containing small curved or straight thorns. New buds appear shiny and red on the stem.

4. Note the height of the shrub. Wild white rose bushes grow from 2 to 5 feet tall.

Tips & Warnings

• Use the rose hips produced by the wild white rose as a source of vitamin C and A, or in jams, jellies and soups.

• Purchase wild white rose bushes in nurseries and garden supply stores.

• Make wild white rose hip honey by using a small spoon to split and remove the seeds from 1 cup of rose hips. Be sure to scoop out the small hairs. Place the rose hips into a glass jar, and pour 1 cup of honey over it. After sitting overnight, serve your rose hip honey on muffins, pancakes or toast. Store the honey in the refrigerator.

References

• Utah State University: Wild Rose
• Ohio.gov Department of Natural Resources: Ohio's Invasive Non-Native Plants
• The Westborough News; Nature Notes; Annie Reid; June 15, 2007
• NatureSkills.com: Rose Hip Honey; Karen Sherwood; 2002

Resources

• Kiowa Conservation District: Wild Rose (Woods Rose) Recipes