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| ## virginia rose {#virginia-rose .Title-Header}                       |
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| *Rosa virginiana* P. Mill.                                            |
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| Plant Symbol = ROVI2                                                  |
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Contributed by: USDA NRCS National Plant Data Center

### ![](media/image2.jpeg){width="2.984722222222222in" height="4.477777777777778in"}

# Alternate Names

pasture rose, wild rose, common wild 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.

# 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.

# 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.

# Prepared By

#### *Jammie Favorite*

Formerly USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center

# Baton Rouge, Louisiana

# Species Coordinator

*M. Kat Anderson*

USDA, NRCS, National Plant Data Center, c/o Plant Sciences Dept., Davis,
California

Edited: 19jun02 jsp; 03jun03 ahv; 10sep03; 060816 jsp

For more information about this and other plants, please contact your
local NRCS field office or Conservation District, and visit the PLANTS
Web site\<[http://plants.usda.gov](http://plants.usda.gov/)\> or the
Plant Materials Program Web site
\<[http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov](http://Plant-Materials.nrcs.usda.gov/)\>

*The U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) prohibits discrimination in
all its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, national
origin, sex, religion, age, disability, political beliefs, sexual
orientation, and marital or family status. (Not all prohibited bases
apply to all programs.) Persons with disabilities who require
alternative means for communication of program information (Braille,
large print, audiotape, etc.) should contact USDA\'s [TARGET
Center](http://www.usda.gov/oo/target.htm) at 202-720-2600 (voice and
TDD).*

*To file a complaint of discrimination write USDA, Director, Office of
Civil Rights, Room 326-W, Whitten Building, 14th and Independence
Avenue, SW, Washington, DC 20250-9410 or call 202-720-5964 (voice or
TDD). USDA is an equal opportunity provider and employer.*

*Read about [Civil Rights at the Natural Resources Convervation
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