Woods' Rose (Rosa woodsii)

The Woods' Rose is a resilient and versatile species native to North America, including vast regions of Canada and Alaska, extending through the western and central United States. This perennial bushy shrub can reach heights of up to three meters and is known for forming large, dense thickets. Its stems are adorned with straight, red to grey-brown prickles, adding to its rugged appearance. The deciduous leaves are composed of several sharp-toothed leaflets, each up to 5 centimeters long, presenting a lush, green facade during the growing season.

Flowering from May to July, the Woods' Rose produces a cyme of fragrant pink flowers, varying in shades, each with five petals and measuring up to 2.5 centimeters in length. Following the bloom, red rose hips mature from August to September, offering not only a visual appeal but also serving as a source of food and medicine. This species thrives in a variety of habitats, from open woods and plains to stream banks and stony slopes, demonstrating its adaptability to different environments.

In the Canadian context, Rosa woodsii is part of the diverse flora contributing to the country's natural beauty and ecological balance. It grows well in moist, rocky soils found in mixed coniferous, upper montane, and subalpine forests, especially in areas like the Sierra Nevada, where it can ascend to 11,200 feet.