Round-leaved Dog-rose
Scientific name: Rosa obtusifolia Desv.
Diagnostic features
Stems arching, to 2(3)m, with strongly and abruptly hooked prickles.
Leaflets pubescent on lowerside (often also on upperside), 2-serrate with glandular teeth and often glandular on lowerside, more rounded overall and at base than in Rosa canina.
Flowers white (to pale pink), 3-4cm across.
Fruit globose to ovoid, 1-1.5(2)cm, usually glabrous.
Pedicels 0.5-1.5cm, usually glabrous.
Sepals strongly lobed, reflexed after flowering, falling before fruit ripe.
Chromosome number: 2n=35.
Habitat
Native; hedges and scrub.
Distribution
England, Wales and Ireland, but rare in many areas, frequent only in Central England.
This species is keyed out on Page 2364 and Page 2366 in the Text Key.
The following additional hybrids have been recorded:
-Rosa x rouyana Duffort ex Rouy (= Rosa arvensis x Rosa obtusifolia); Central Wales and Central England.
- Rosa stylosa x Rosa obtusifolia; Britain North to Mons and Cambs.
- Rosa x dumetorum Thuill. (= Rosa canina x Rosa obtusifolia and Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa canina) (Synonyms: Rosa x subobtusifolia Wolley-Dod, Rosa x concinnoides Wolley-Dod); British Isles North to Midwest Yorks and Co Londonderry.
- Rosa caesia glauca x Rosa obtusifolia; Central England.
- Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa tomentosa and Rosa tomentosa x Rosa obtusifolia); Leics and Laois.
- Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa sherardii only); Worcs.
- Rosa x timbalii Crép. (= Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa rubiginosa) (Synonym: Rosa x tomentelliformis Wolley-Dod); Northants and Cheshire.
- Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa micrantha; North Somerset. |
