Climbing Rose, Wild Rose, Dog Rose
Kingdom: Plantae, Division: Magnoliophyta, Class: Magnoliopsida, Order: Rosales, Family: Rosaceae, Genus: Rosa, Species: Rosa canina · Rosaceae (Rose family) · Pinnately compound with 5 to 7 leaflets; deciduous woody vine/shrub.
Species
Rosa canina (or related Rosa species / cultivar)
Leaf Type
Pinnately compound with 5 to 7 leaflets; deciduous woody vine/shrub.
Family
Rosaceae (Rose family)
Shape
Individual leaflets are ovate to elliptically shaped with pointed tips.
Size
Overall compound leaf is approximately 3-5 inches long; individual leaflets are 1-2 inches in length and 0.5-1 inch in width.
Margin
Serrate (sharply toothed edges along the leaflet margins).
Arrangement
Alternate arrangement along the woody stem, with compound leaves bearing paired lateral leaflets and a terminal leaflet.
Rarity
Very Common
Color & Pattern
Medium green on the upper surface with lighter undersides; older/stressed leaves towards the right show slight chlorosis (yellowing) and minor browning at tips.
Venation Pattern
Pinnate venation on individual leaflets, with clear primary midribs and branching secondary veins extending to the serrated margins.
Texture & Surface
Slightly leathery to papery, smooth (glabrous) to semi-matte on top surface, visible petiole attachment to climbing stem.
Description
A classic woody climbing or scrambling rose vine growing against a stone wall. The leaves are pinnately compound featuring 5 to 7 serrated ovate leaflets. Vines scramble using sharp recurved thorns and produce red hips and white to pink flowers in late spring.
Key Features
Pinnately compound leaves with serrated margins, woody trailing or climbing stems with thorns, stipules at the base of the petiole, bright red seed hips in autumn.
Habitat
Thickets, woodland edges, hedges, old walls, gardens, and sunny to partial-shade fence lines with well-drained soils.
Geographic Range
Native to Europe, Northwest Africa, and Western Asia; widely introduced and naturalized across North America and Australia.
Condition Notes
Fair to Good condition; younger main foliage shows vibrant green growth while older leaves exhibit minor chlorosis and slight tip necrosis, likely due to stone wall heat reflection or seasonal aging.
Interesting Facts
Rose hips produced by wild and climbing roses are exceptionally rich in Vitamin C and were historically harvested during WWII to make syrup when citrus fruits were scarce.
Medicinal & Uses
Rose hips are used in teas, jellies, oils, and herbal remedies for immune support. Widely cultivated as ornamental garden plants and ground/wall covers.
Ecological Role
Provides cover and nesting sites for birds, nectar for bees and pollinators, and winter food (hips) for birds and small mammals.
Similar Species
Rubus species (Blackberry/Raspberry - often have palmately compound leaves or white-woolly undersides), Fraxinus (Ash trees - woody tree form, non-thorny).
Foraging Tips
Look along old garden walls, field edges, and hedgerows in sunny locations. Best identified when in bloom or when bright red rose hips ripen in late summer and autumn.
Toxicity Warning
Non-toxic; however, care should be taken with sharp thorns on stems, and fine hairs inside the rose hips should be removed before consuming to prevent gastric irritation.