Authors: C. Stace, R. van der Meijden (ed.) & I. de Kort (ed.)
Search
Scientific name:

Rosa rubiginosa

Vernacular name:

Sweet-briar


Use the links below to jump to previous and next taxa in a text browser:
Rosa mollis - Downy-rose, Soft
Rosa mollis - Rose, Soft Downy-
Rosa micrantha - Sweet-briar, Small-flowered

Sweet-briar

Scientific name: Rosa rubiginosa L.

Diagnostic features
Stems erect, ± straight, to 2m, with hooked, unequal prickles.
Leaflets pubescent at least on veins and glandular on lowerside, ± 2-serrate with glandular teeth.
Flowers pink, 2.5-4cm across.
Fruit subglobose to ovoid, 1-2.5cm, glabrous or sparsely glandular-pubescent.
Pedicels 0.8-1.5cm, glandular-pubescent.
Sepals erect to patent, persistent until fruit reddens.
Styles pubescent.

Chromosome number: 2n=35.

Habitat
Native; mostly in scrub on calcareous soils.

Distribution
Scattered throughout British Isles, ± common on chalk in Southeast England, rare in Central England and West Scotland.

This species is keyed out on Page 2361 in the Text Key.

The following additional hybrids has been recorded:
- Rosa multiflora x Rosa rubiginosa was recorded on the Common, Herm, Channel Islands, but apparently in error for Rosa micrantha.
- Rosa x gallicoides (Baker) Déségl. (= Rosa arvensis x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa arvensis) (Synonym: Rosa x consanguinea Gren.); England and Wales North to Derbys and Carms.
- Rosa x biturigensis Boreau (= Rosa pimpinellifolia x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa pimpinellifolia)(Synonym: Rosa x cantiana (Wolley-Dod) Wolley-Dod, Rosax moorei (Baker) Wolley-Dod); very scattered in England, Scotland and Ireland.
- Rosa x bengyana Rouy (= Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa stylosa); East Gloucs.
- Rosa x nitidula Besser (= Rosa canina x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa canina) (Synonyms:Rosa x latebrosa Déségl., Rosa x latens Wolley-Dod); Britain North to Durham, Co Antrim.
- Rosa x obovata (Baker) Ley non Raf. (= Rosa caesia x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa caesia); both sspp. of Rosa caesia); Scotland and England South to Derbys.
- Rosa x timbalii Crép. (= Rosa obtusifolia x Rosa rubiginosa) (Synonym: Rosa x tomentelliformis Wolley-Dod); Northants and Cheshire.
- Rosa x avrayensis Rouy (= Rosa tomentosa x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa tomentosa); South Wales and Centralsouth England.
- Rosa x suberecta (Woods) Ley ( = Rosa sherardii x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa sherardii); British Isles South to Leics, Flints and Mid Cork.
- Rosa x molliformis Wolley-Dod (= Rosa mollis x Rosa rubiginosa and Rosa rubiginosa x Rosa mollis); scattered in Scotland.
- Rosa x bigeneris Duffort ex Rouy (= Rosa micrantha x Rosa rubiginosa); Southeast England and East & Mid Cork.

Rosa rubiginosa (Sweet-briar)
Description provides information about characters, distribution and habitat of the selected species or higher group. You can search using vernacular or scientific name.
Sweet-briar
General introduction, overview of the species treated and functionality of the site
A tree, picture gallery and alphabetical lists provide access to the species and higher groups
Descriptions of species
Descriptions of higher groups
Identification keys
Atlas
Glossary
Literature references
Test your knowledge of the species treated
Concise explanation of the BIS program
Authors of and contributors to this project
Return to the main index of the World Biodiversity Database