Rosa californica (California Wild Rose)

Photographs

My photos:

This photo was taken in January at Caspers Wilderness Park. The roses have few leaves, but you can see the rose hips on the plants

More photos:

Coe has a nice closeup of a medium pink flower in bloom, and of the rosebush itself.

WildflowersofSCal has a photo of a deep pink flower.

click photo to enlarge

Plant Information

Rosaceae

In the garden:

The local wild rose is a deciduous shrub reaching about 4 feet tall; it will climb to 12 feet if given support. It’s form is erect and branched, with stems which are armed with stout prickles. Leaves are pinnate. Its pink flowers are 1 inch across and only have five petals; it blooms from May through August.

In the wild:

Fairly common to moist places, canyons, near streams, etc., below 6000 feet.

Ethnobotany:

The native people used the fresh buds as well as the rose hips as food, and they made a drink by soaking the flower petals in water. An infusion of the petals was used for babies with fever, and a decoction of the rose hips was taken for fever, sore throat, rheumatism, kidney ailments, and indigestion. This same decoction was also used for minor skin wounds.

Field Trips
Anza Borrego Caspers Holy Jim Canyon Idyllwild
Joshua Tree Mt Palomar Rancho Santa Ana Torrey Pines

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