Carolina Nature

Trees, Shrubs, and Woody Vines of North Carolina

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris)

Plantae>Magnoliophyta>Magnoliopsida>Rosales>Rosaceae>Rosa palustris Marsh.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) flower

The aptly named Swamp Rose is common in wet areas throughout North Carolina. The beautiful flowers, produced from late spring to early summer, are very fragrant. This one was blooming on 6/8/03 at the edge of a wetland near Falls Lake, Durham Co., NC.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) flower

Alleghany Co., NC 7/1/06.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) flower bud

Alleghany Co., NC 7/1/06.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) thorns

Very similar to Carolina Rose (Rosa carolina), which occurs in drier habitats, but with more curved infrastipular thorns.

Alleghany Co., NC 7/1/06.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) fruit

The fruits (often called "rose hips") are bright red when ripe.

Granville Co., NC 9/10/06.

Person Co., NC 6/13/06.

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) fruit

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

Swamp Rose (Rosa palustris) thorns

Bladen Co., NC 8/12/2007.

More information:
Connecticut Wildflowers

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