Virginia Rose

Scientific Name: Rosa virginiana Mill.

Classification: Plantae/ Tracheobionta / Spermatophyta / Magnoliophyta / Magnoliopsida / Rosidae / Rosales / Rosaceae / Rosa L./ Rosa virginiana Mill.

Virginia Rose
General Information
Usda SymbolROVI2
GroupDicot
Life CyclePerennial
Growth HabitsSubshrub
Native LocationsROVI2

Plant Guide

Alternate Names

pasture rose, wild rose, common wild rose , Use soil moisture sensors to measure the soil moisture of Virginia Rose.

Uses

Ethnobotanic: The seed was a good source of vitamin E, it was grounded into a powder and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement (Facciola 1990). A decoction of the roots was used as a bath and to treat worms in children (Moerman 1998). An infusion of the roots was used to treat bleeding cuts on the feet and as a wash to treat sore eyes (Ibid.). The fruit served as a good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly rare for a fruit. Medical: It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reverting the growth of cancer (Matthews 1994). The fruits are high in vitamin C and may be eaten out of hand or used to make preserves. Britton, N.L., and A. Brown. 1913 Illustrated flora of the northern states and Canada. Vol. 2: 285. Courtesy of Kentucky Native Plant Society.

Status

Please consult the Plants Web site and your State Department of Natural Resources for this plant’s current status, such as, state noxious status, and wetland indicator values.

Description

General: Rose family (Roseaceae). Virginia rose (Rosa virginiana) is an upright shrub growing between four to six feet tall. The glossy dark green foliage develops excellent yellow to red fall color (Dirr 1997). This species bears fragrant pink flowers that are two to three-inches in diameter and occur in clusters of five to eight. Distribution: Rosa virginiana ranges from Arkansas, east to Alabama, north to Newfoundland and west to Ontario (Vines 1960). For current distribution, please consult the Plant profile page for this species on the PLANTS Web site.

Adaptation

Virginia rose grows along the edges of salt marshes, roadsides and in pastures. This species succeeds in moist soils, growing well in heavy clayey soils. It prefers a sunny position and does well under winter conditions. This is an outstanding ornamental shrub that is easy to grow.

Establishment

Propagation by Seed: Most rose seeds often take one to two years to germinate because of an immature embryo and a hardened seed coat. To reduce the waiting period, scarify the seed and place in damp peat at a temperature of 27 to 32ºC for four to five months by which the seed should began to germinate. Place the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Out plant seedling in the summer if the plants are more than twenty-five centimeters tall, otherwise grow in a cold frame for the winter and out plant in late spring.

http://www.knps.org/

Management

Pruning should be done to remove spent blooms and diseased areas after winter for winter injury, and to shape a plant. Roses are one of the most susceptible ornamentals to most pests and require control from intensive IPM control programs. Beneath the flesh of the fruit, there is a layer of hairs around the seeds that can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested. Cultivars, Improved and Selected Materials (and area of origin) Materials are somewhat available through native plant nurseries. Contact your local Natural Resources Conservation Service (formerly Soil Conservation Service) office for more information. Look in the phone book under ”United States Government.” The Natural Resources

Conservation

Service will be listed under the subheading “Department of Agriculture.”

References

Dirr, M. A. & C. W. Heuser, Jr. 1987. The reference manual of woody plant propagation: from seed to tissue culture. Varsity Press, Athens, Georgia. Dirr, M.A. 1997. Dirr’s hardy trees and shrubs: an illustrated encyclopedia. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. Facciola, S. 1990. Cornucopia - a source book of edible plants. Kampong Publications. Genders, R. 1994. Scented flora of world. Robert Hall, London. Grimm, W.C. 1970. Home guide to trees, shrubs, and wildflowers. Stackpole Books, Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Heuser, C. W. 1997. The complete book of plant propagation. The Taunton Press, Newtown, Connecticut. Matthews, V. 1994. The new plantsman. Vol. 1. Royal Horticultural Society. Moerman, D. 1998. Native American ethnobotany. Timber Press, Portland, Oregon. Rehder, A. 1940. Manual of cultivated trees and shrubs: hardy in North America. The MacMillan Company, New York, New York. Riotte, L. 1978. Companion planting for successful gardening. Garden Way, Vermont.

Plant Traits

Growth Requirements

Temperature, Minimum (°F)-18
Adapted to Coarse Textured SoilsYes
Adapted to Fine Textured SoilsNo
Adapted to Medium Textured SoilsYes
Anaerobic ToleranceLow
CaCO3 ToleranceLow
Cold Stratification RequiredYes
Drought ToleranceLow
Fertility RequirementMedium
Fire ToleranceHigh
Frost Free Days, Minimum130
Hedge ToleranceNone
Moisture UseMedium
pH, Maximum7.0
pH, Minimum5.0
Planting Density per Acre, Maxim4800
Planting Density per Acre, Minim700
Precipitation, Maximum55
Precipitation, Minimum35
Root Depth, Minimum (inches)16
Salinity ToleranceNone
Shade ToleranceIntermediate


Morphology/Physiology

BloatNone
ToxicityNone
Resprout AbilityYes
Shape and OrientationSemi-Erect
Active Growth PeriodSpring and Summer
C:N RatioMedium
Coppice PotentialNo
Fall ConspicuousYes
Fire ResistantNo
Flower ColorPurple
Flower ConspicuousYes
Foliage ColorGreen
Foliage Porosity SummerDense
Foliage Porosity WinterModerate
Foliage TextureMedium
Fruit/Seed ConspicuousYes
Nitrogen FixationNone
Low Growing GrassNo
LifespanModerate
Leaf RetentionNo
Known AllelopathNo
Height, Mature (feet)6.0
Height at 20 Years, Maximum (fee6
Growth RateModerate
Growth FormRhizomatous
Fruit/Seed ColorRed


Reproduction

Vegetative Spread RateSlow
Small GrainNo
Seedling VigorMedium
Seed Spread RateSlow
Fruit/Seed Period EndSummer
Propagated by TubersNo
Propagated by SprigsNo
Propagated by SodNo
Propagated by SeedYes
Propagated by CuttingsNo
Propagated by ContainerYes
Propagated by BulbNo
Propagated by Bare RootYes
Fruit/Seed PersistenceYes
Fruit/Seed Period BeginSummer
Fruit/Seed AbundanceHigh
Commercial AvailabilityNo Known Source
Bloom PeriodLate Spring
Propagated by CormNo


Suitability/Use

Veneer ProductNo
Pulpwood ProductNo
Protein PotentialLow
Post ProductNo
Palatable HumanNo
Palatable Graze AnimalLow
Palatable Browse AnimalLow
Nursery Stock ProductNo
Naval Store ProductNo
Lumber ProductNo
Fodder ProductNo
Christmas Tree ProductNo
Berry/Nut/Seed ProductNo

Virginia Rose

Virginia Rose

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