Small-leaved Sweet-briar
Scientific name: Rosa agrestis Savi
Diagnostic features
Differs from Rosa rubiginosa in stems erect but somewhat flexuous, to1.5(2)m.
Prickles ± equal.
Flowers 2-4cm across, white to pale pink.
Fruit 1-2cm, usually glabrous.
Pedicels 1-1.5cm, glabrous.
Sepals usually reflexed, falling before fruit reddens.
Chromosome number: 2n=35, 42.
Habitat
Native; scrub, mostly on calcareous soils.
Distribution
Very scattered and mostly rare in Britain and Ireland North to South Scotland, frequent mainly in parts of Central Ireland.
This species is keyed out on Page 2360 in the Text Key.
Note
Plants identified as Rosa elliptica Tausch were probably Rosa agrestis and/or hybrids of the latter or perhaps of Rosa micrantha.
Hybrids
- Rosa x bishopii Wolley-Dod (= Rosa micrantha x Rosa agrestis and Rosa micrantha x Rosa agrestis); South England.
- Rosa x caviniacensis Ozanon (= Rosa pimpinellifolia x Rosa agrestis) was found in Fermanagh in 1900.
- Rosa stylosa x Rosa agrestis and Rosa agrestis x Rosa stylosa (Synonym: Rosa x belnensis auct. non Ozanon); North & South Somerset and Surrey.
- Rosa x belnensis Ozanon (= Rosa agrestis x Rosa canina); East Norfolk.
- Rosa tomentosa x Rosa agrestis; North Tipperary.
- Rosa sherardii x Rosa agrestis and Rosa sherardii x Rosa agrestis); Central Ireland. |
