Small-flower sweetbriar (Rosa micrantha, Engl. Bot. 35: t. 2490 (1813))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Borrer ex Sm.

Bibliography: Engl. Bot. 35: t. 2490 (1813)

Year: 1813

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rosa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Europe to Caucasus, NW. Africa

Description

The Small-flower sweetbriar, scientifically known as Rosa micrantha, is a distinguished member of the Rosaceae family. First documented in the early 19th century with a detailed illustration in the “English Botany” by Borrer and Smith in 1813, this resilient shrub has long drawn attention for its delicate beauty and biological significance.

Rosa micrantha can be found flourishing across a wide range of geographical regions, notably from various locales in Europe stretching forth to the Caucasus and extending into the northwestern parts of Africa. This widespread distribution underscores its adaptability to diverse environmental conditions and climates.

Characterized by its modestly sized flowers, Rosa micrantha stands out amongst other rose species for its subtle and understated charm. The plant is often appreciated for its ornamental value and its role in natural habitats where it supports local ecosystems. The flowers, while small, are typically held by slender pedicels and exhibit a soft pink hue, making them a delicate addition to any landscape.

In its natural setting, the Small-flower sweetbriar typically grows as a hardy shrub, often found in hedges, woodlands, and scrublands. Its affinity for such habitats highlights its role in supporting biodiversity, providing shelter and food for various species of insects and birds.

For horticulturists and botany enthusiasts alike, Rosa micrantha is a plant that encapsulates both the resilience and intricate beauty of wild roses. Its cultivation, while straightforward, requires careful consideration of its native growing conditions to ensure it thrives.

Ultimately, the Small-flower sweetbriar, Rosa micrantha, is not merely a botanical specimen but a small wonder of the natural world, continually drawing admiration and study for its resilient charm and ecological importance.

Common Names

Deu: kleinblütige rose
Dan: småblomstret rose
Nld: kleinbloemige roos
Eng: small-flower sweetbriar, small-flowered sweet-briar
Swe: sydlig äppelros, sydäppelros
Nob: småeplerose
Nno: småeplerose
Cym: drysni pêr, drysïen bêr fân-flodeuog, dyrysien bêr lleiaf, miaren lleiaf, mieren fair, rhoslwyn pêr
En: Small-flower sweetbriar, Smallflower sweetbrier, Small-Flower Sweetbrier, Sweetbriar rose, Smallflower rose, Small-flowered Sweet-briar
Ca: Roser de flor petita
Da: Småblomstret rose
Nl: Kleine roos, Kleinbloemige roos
Fr: “Rosier à petites fleurs, Églantier à petites fleurs”, Églantier à petites fleurs, Rosier à petites fleurs
De: Kleinblütige Rose
It: Rosa balsamina minore
Nb: Småeplerose
Nn: Småeplerose
Sv: Sydlig äppelros, Sydäppelros
Cy: Drysni Pêr, Drysïen Bêr Fân-Flodeuog, Dyrysien Bêr Lleiaf, Miaren Lleiaf, Mieren Fair, Rhoslwyn Pêr

Synonyms

• Rosa micrantha var. ponsii (R.Keller)
• Chabertia hungarica ((A.Kern.) Gand.)
• Rosa micrantha var. operta ((Puget ex Crép.) Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha f. glandulifera ((Rouy) R.Keller)
• Rosa viscaria var. provincialis (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. septicola ((Déségl.) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. diminuta ((Boreau ex Déségl.) Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. lucomagnii (R.Keller)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. permixta ((Déségl.) Baker)
• Rosa micrantha var. typica (Christ)
• Rosa diminuta (Boreau ex Déségl.)
• Rosa viscaria var. viscida ((Puget ex Déségl.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. ovata ((Rouy) R.Keller ex Jahand. & Maire)
• Rosa micrantha f. cadolenensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. nemorosa ((Lib. ex Lej.) Dumort.)
• Rosa permixta (Déségl.)
• Rosa micrantha var. heteracantha (Sudre)
• Rosa viscaria var. pseudoperta (Rouy)
• Rosa micrantha f. sanguinettii (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. macracantha (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. sagorskii (Christ)
• Rosa micrantha var. pseudoperta ((Rouy) C.Vicioso)
• Rosa bordzilowskii (Chrshan.)
• Rosa lantoscana (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. subspoliata ((Déségl. & Ozanon) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. keratiophora (Dingler)
• Rosa micrantha f. nemorosa ((Lib. ex Lej.) Posp.)
• Rosa micrantha var. favratii (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. calvescens ((Burnat & Gremli) R.Keller)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. nemoralis ((Léman) Thory)
• Rosa rubiginosa subsp. micrantha ((Borrer ex Sm.) Baker)
• Rosa micrantha var. castellana (Pau)
• Rosa micrantha f. cuneifoliolata (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. anisocantha ((Borbás) Borbás)
• Rosa escurialensis ((Reut.) Pau)
• Rosa viscaria var. septicola ((Déségl.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. serrata ((Christ) R.Keller)
• Rosa dorica (Heinr.Braun & Halácsy)
• Rosa micrantha var. lepida (R.Keller)
• Rosa inodora var. minor (Lange)
• Rosa viscaria var. pommaretii ((Puget ex Crép.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. uniflora (Prodán)
• Rosa caryophyllacea f. budwitzensis (J.B.Keller & Formánek)
• Rosa viscaria var. oblongicalyx ((Gand. ex Debeaux) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. protractoides (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. septicoloides ((Crép.) R.Keller)
• Rosa psammophila (Chrshan.)
• Rosa micrantha var. bolosii (C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha var. lusitanica (Samp.)
• Rosa micrantha var. ovata ((Rouy) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. calvescens (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha f. heteracantha (Schwertschl.)
• Rosa micrantha f. savarensis (P.Rossi & R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. macrophylla (H.J.Coste)
• Rosa micrantha var. permixta ((Déségl.) Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa micrantha f. pseudoperta ((Rouy) R.Keller)
• Rosa meridionalis (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha f. campiensis (Prodán)
• Rosa lactiflora f. polyacantha (Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. lactiflora ((Déségl.) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. nuda (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha subsp. ferociformis (Prodán)
• Rosa elliptica subsp. subeglanteria (E.Schenk)
• Rosa micrantha f. aciculata ((Rouy) R.Keller)
• Rosa pouzinii var. escurialensis ((Reut.) Willk.)
• Rosa micrantha var. danubialis (Borbás ex R.Keller)
• Rosa septicoloides (Crép.)
• Rosa micrantha var. arcadiensis ((Halácsy) Maire & Petitm.)
• Rosa viscaria var. aciculata (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. subcalvescens (Briq.)
• Rosa micrantha var. leucantha (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. provincialis (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. brachycephala (Dingler)
• Rosa micrantha f. diminuta ((Boreau ex Déségl.) Posp.)
• Rosa micrantha f. lusseri ((Lagger & Puget) Posp.)
• Rosa viscida (Puget ex Déségl.)
• Rosa micrantha var. oblongicalyx ((Gand.) Rouy ex C.Vicioso)
• Rosa leucadia (Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa sphaerophora (Ripart ex Nyman)
• Rosa micrantha subsp. calvescens ((Burnat & Gremli) Arcang.)
• Rosa micrantha f. heteroclita ((Gand.) R.Keller)
• Rosa salvanensis (De la Soie ex Christ)
• Rosa micrantha var. semitomentella (Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. meridionalis ((Burnat & Gremli) Crép.)
• Rosa micrantha var. pommaretii ((Puget ex Crép.) Crép. ex T.Durand)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. permixta ((Déségl.) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. salvifolia (Christ)
• Rosa viscaria var. macrophylla ((H.J.Coste) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa trinacriae (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha var. chenevierei (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. lemanii ((Boreau) Dumort.)
• Rosa micrantha var. ferox (Crép.)
• Rosa oblongicalyx (Gand.)
• Rosa micrantha var. aciculata ((Rouy) Sennen)
• Rosa micrantha var. atlantica (Ball)
• Rosa micrantha f. subcalvescens ((Briq.) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. pseudotomentella (R.Keller)
• Rosa hispanica f. escurialensis ((Reut.) H.Christ)
• Rosa viscaria var. diminuta ((Boreau ex Déségl.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. leucanthema (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. pseudoelliptica (R.Keller)
• Rosa viscaria var. ovata (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa sepium var. lemanii ((Boreau) Merino)
• Rosa micrantha var. bracteata (Sagorski)
• Rosa micrantha f. oblongicalyx ((Gand.) R.Keller)
• Rosa canescens f. subatrichostylis (Strobl)
• Rosa micrantha var. heterostyla (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. discedens ((Gand.) R.Keller)
• Rosa mukatscheviensis (Chrshan.)
• Rosa micrantha var. pisiformis (Dumort.)
• Rosa micrantha var. septicola ((Déségl.) Gren.)
• Rosa micrantha f. trichostyla ((R.Keller) R.Keller)
• Rosa viscaria var. longipes (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. hungarica ((A.Kern.) Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa micrantha var. salviifolia ((Christ) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. microcarpa (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. ovata ((Rouy) C.Vicioso)
• Rosa viscaria var. permixta ((Déségl.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha subsp. lemanii ((Boreau) Gremli)
• Rosa libertiana (Tratt.)
• Rosa chomutoviensis var. latifolia (Chrshan.)
• Rosa micrantha f. balcica (Prodán)
• Rosa micrantha var. frankorum (E.Schenk)
• Rosa canina var. avelloi ((Sennen & Mauricio) Emb. & Maire)
• Chabertia lemanii ((Boreau) Gand.)
• Rosa micrantha var. pseudotomentosa (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. subcuneata (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. normalis ((Rouy) Merino)
• Rosa micrantha subsp. septicola ((Déségl.) Nyman)
• Rosa micrantha f. leucopetala (Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. pseudopouzinii (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. varians (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. orbicularis (E.Schenk)
• Rosa hungarica (A.Kern.)
• Rosa lusseri (Lagger & Puget)
• Rosa delphinensis (Chabert)
• Rosa polyacantha ((Borbás) Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa micrantha var. hirciana ((Heinr.Braun) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. briggsii (Baker)
• Rosa micrantha var. divisa (Chrshan.)
• Rosa hirciana (Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa sepium subsp. micrantha ((Borrer ex Sm.) Batt.)
• Rosa horrida subsp. permixta ((Déségl.) Nyman)
• Rosa hispanica var. escurialensis (Reut.)
• Rosa micrantha f. gracilis (E.Schenk)
• Rosa septicola (Déségl.)
• Rosa micrantha var. pleiotricha (Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. subglabra (Cuatrec.)
• Rosa micrantha microphylla (Schur)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. perparva ((Borbás) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. lemanii ((Boreau) Posp.)
• Rosa klukii var. subcalvescens (Přibilsky ex Hayek)
• Rosa micrantha var. conferta (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha var. gaillardii (Christ)
• Rosa chomutoviensis var. kubensis (Chrshan.)
• Rosa micrantha var. avelloi (Sennen & Mauricio)
• Rosa viscaria var. trichocarpa ((Boullu) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. reichenbachiana ((Heinr.Braun) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. suprahirta ((Margittai & Sabr.) Ker.-Nagy)
• Rosa viscaria var. pseudo-operta (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. multiflora (Merino ex C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha var. ventricosa (Dumort.)
• Rosa micrantha var. plicata (Burnat & Gremli)
• Rosa micrantha f. septicola ((Déségl.) Malinv.)
• Rosa micrantha f. oulxensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. hunedorensis (Prodán)
• Rosa tomentosa subsp. micrantha ((Borrer ex Sm.) Čelak.)
• Rosa micrantha var. budwitzensis ((J.B.Keller & Formánek) Podp. & Domin)
• Rosa micrantha var. drinensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa arcadiensis (Halácsy)
• Rosa viscaria var. lemanii ((Boreau) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa ferociformis ((Prodán) Prodán)
• Rosa micrantha f. rhomboidea (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. subhebegynia (Borbás)
• Rosa lactiflora (Déségl.)
• Rosa micrantha var. hystrix ((Léman) Baker)
• Rosa micrantha var. perturbans (E.Schenk)
• Chabertia micrantha ((Borrer ex Sm.) Gand.)
• Rosa micrantha var. nemorosa ((Lib. ex Lej.) Dumort.)
• Rosa eglanteria var. nemoralis ((Léman) P.V.Heath)
• Rosa candida (Davidov)
• Rosa micrantha var. vuanensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa histrix (Léman)
• Rosa micrantha var. eriostyla (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. albigensis (Sudre)
• Rosa micrantha var. conica (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. genuina (Posp.)
• Rosa micrantha var. perglandulosa (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. vermolensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. onubiensis (C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha septicola ((Déségl.) Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa micrantha f. histrix ((Léman ex Cass.) H.Christ)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. plicata ((Burnat & Gremli) R.Keller)
• Rosa oblongifolia (Dum.Cours.)
• Rosa micrantha f. longipes ((Rouy & E.G.Camus) C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha var. trichocarpa (Boullu)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. delphinensis (Chabert ex R.Keller)
• Rosa canescens (Borrer ex Sm.)
• Rosa micrantha var. bulgarica (J.B.Keller & Formánek)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. gradifolia (Godet)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. eglandulosa (S.Pons ex R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. grossiserrata (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. permixta ((Déségl.) Dumort.)
• Rosa micrantha var. subnuda (R.Keller & Prodan)
• Rosa micrantha f. robusta (Dingler)
• Rosa viscaria subsp. micrantha ((Borrer ex Sm.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. inermis (R.Keller)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. histrix ((Léman ex Cass.) Hook.f.)
• Rosa micrantha var. pimpinellifolia (E.Schenk)
• Rosa micrantha var. vulgaris (Dumort.)
• Rosa micrantha var. escurialensis ((Reut.) C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha var. anadena (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. coquozii (Christ)
• Rosa micrantha var. glabrata (Boullu)
• Rosa monroyi (Pau)
• Rosa subspoliata (Déségl. & Ozanon)
• Rosa similata var. reichenbachiana (Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa rubiginosa var. grandifolia (Godet)
• Rosa micrantha subvar. polyacantha ((Borbás) R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. operta ((Puget ex Crép.) Borbás)
• Rosa micrantha var. histrix ((Léman ex Cass.) Baker)
• Rosa micrantha var. verticillacantha (E.Schenk)
• Rosa viscaria var. operta ((Puget ex Crép.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. losae (Pau ex C.Vicioso)
• Rosa micrantha f. pauciglandulosa (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. diachylon ((Gand.) R.Keller)
• Rosa lemanii (Boreau)
• Rosa micrantha var. trichostyla (R.Keller)
• Rosa chomutoviensis (Chrshan. & Lasebna)
• Rosa micrantha var. burnatii (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. hartbergensis (Hayek)
• Rosa perparva (Borbás)
• Rosa hungarica var. boehmiae (Ker.-Nagy)
• Rosa micrantha var. rotundata (E.Schenk)
• Rosa micrantha var. subspoliata ((Déségl. & Ozanon) Heinr.Braun)
• Rosa micrantha f. typica (H.Christ)
• Rosa viscaria var. glandulifera (Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha var. insularum (E.Schenk)
• Rosa micrantha f. wittinsburgensis (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha var. fallax (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. anisocantha (Borbás)
• Rosa viscaria var. subspoliata ((Déségl. & Ozanon) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. cuneifolia (R.Keller)
• Rosa micrantha f. serrata (Christ)
• Rosa nemoralis (Léman)
• Rosa viscaria var. septicoloides ((Crép.) Rouy & E.G.Camus)
• Rosa micrantha f. suprahirta (Margittai & Sabr.)

Distribution

• Albania (native)
• Algeria (native)
• Austria (native)
• Belgium (native)
• Bulgaria (native)
• Corse (native)
• Czechoslovakia (native)
• France (native)
• Germany (native)
• Great Britain (native)
• Hungary (native)
• Ireland (native)
• Italy (native)
• Krym (native)
• Lebanon-Syria (native)
• Morocco (native)
• Netherlands (native)
• North Caucasus (native)
• Poland (native)
• Portugal (native)
• Romania (native)
• Sicilia (native)
• Spain (native)
• Sweden (native)
• Switzerland (native)
• Transcaucasus (native)
• Tunisia (native)
• Turkey (native)
• Turkey-in-Europe (native)
• Ukraine (native)
• Yugoslavia (native)
• Argentina South (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Connecticut (introduced)
• District of Columbia (introduced)
• Illinois (introduced)
• Kentucky (introduced)
• Maine (introduced)
• Maryland (introduced)
• Masachusettes (introduced)
• Missouri (introduced)
• New Jersey (introduced)
• New York (introduced)
• New Zealand South (introduced)
• North Carolina (introduced)
• Nova Scotia (introduced)
• Ohio (introduced)
• Ontario (introduced)
• Oregon (introduced)
• Pennsylvania (introduced)
• Prince Edward I. (introduced)
• Québec (introduced)
• Rhode I. (introduced)
• South Carolina (introduced)
• Tennessee (introduced)
• Texas (introduced)
• Virginia (introduced)
• West Virginia (introduced)
• Wisconsin (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken May 24, 2018 by André Helfer (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 25, 2010 by Miguel A. C. (cc-by-sa)

Taken Dec 1, 2020 by mehmet akyüz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 29, 2021 by Annemarie Ahrens-Stehle (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jan 4, 2018 by Laurie David (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2010 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jun 1, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 1, 2001 by Tela Botanica − Liliane ROUBAUDI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 8, 2010 by Alain Bigou (cc-by-sa)

Fruit

Taken May 30, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2020 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 21, 2021 by Aguilar Jose (cc-by-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken Apr 27, 2017 by Tela Botanica − Genevieve BOTTI (cc-by-sa)

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

© copyright of the Board of Trustees of the Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew.

Bark

Taken Jan 1, 1900 by EOL − Encyclopedia of Life (cc-by-nc-sa)

Taken Aug 24, 2014 by Tela Botanica − Marie PORTAS (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 30, 2012 by Tela Botanica − Bertrand BUI (cc-by-sa)

Taken Sep 6, 2020 by Daniel Bourget (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 7, 2022 by C Tamas (cc-by-sa)

Other

Taken Aug 15, 2004 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken May 15, 1999 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Sep 15, 2011 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jul 15, 2018 by Photoflora – Jean-Luc TASSET (©)

Taken Jun 24, 2021 by nicolas pecqueux (cc-by-sa)

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3002154)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:733289-1)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rosa micrantha Borrer ex Sm.)

Specifications

Growth habit: Subshrub

Growth

Ph maximum: 8.0

Ph minimum: 7.5

Light: 8

Atmospheric humidity: 5

Bloom months: [‘jun’, ‘jul’]

Soil nutriments: 3