Rosaceae

Rosa rubiginosa

Common Names: Sweet briar

Plant Form: Upright or climbing prickly shrub. Size: 1-3 m tall. Stem: Upright or arching, smooth and green-reddish brown, to rough and woody with age. With numerous backwards curving prickles just over 1 cm long. Leaves: Alternately arranged, 5-7 leaflets combined in oval shape with toothed edges. Flowers: Pink to whitish typical rose flowers, with 5 petals surrounding circular centre. Fruit and Seeds: Orange-red and smooth to black and shrivelled with age, egg or oval shaped with bristles at base. Habitat: Grassland, woodland, gullies, alpine areas, riparian areas. Distinguishing Features: Distinguished from similar Dog rose (Rosa canina) by hairs or spines on flower stalks and sepals. Impacts: Forms clumps restricting cattle movement, harbours pest animals, infests pine forests and native vegetation.