Smooth rose (Rosa blanda, Hort. Kew. 2: 202 (1789))

Family: Rosaceae

Author: Aiton

Bibliography: Hort. Kew. 2: 202 (1789)

Year: 1789

Status: accepted

Rank: species

Genus: Rosa

Vegetable: False

Observations: Subarctic America to WC. & NE. U.S.A.

Description

The Smooth Rose, scientifically known as Rosa blanda, is a notable species within the Rosaceae family. First described by Aiton in 1789, this resilient plant is a native to a broad region of Subarctic America and extends its range throughout the West Central and Northeastern United States.

The Smooth Rose is celebrated for its adaptability to various environmental conditions, making it a prominent feature within its native range. Its distinctive, smooth appearance sets it apart from other rose species, living up to its common name with stems that are generally free of the typical thorns found on many roses.

The plant flourishes in a range of habitats, from open woodlands to prairies and rocky outcrops, demonstrating a robust versatility. Its hardiness makes it a resilient option for gardeners and landscapers seeking a low-maintenance yet visually appealing species. Rosa blanda’s blooms are characterized by their delicate pink petals, often creating a striking contrast against the smooth, green foliage. These flowers provide not only aesthetic value but also play a vital role in supporting pollinators in their native ecosystems.

Overall, the Smooth Rose is a remarkable example of botanical beauty and adaptability, with a historical background that has been well-documented since the late 18th century. Its presence in diverse landscapes across Subarctic America and several regions of the United States underscores its ecological significance and continuing relevance in both natural and cultivated environments.

Common Names

Lit: blyškusis erškėtis
Deu: eschen-rose, labrador-rose
Pol: róża labradorska
Eng: smooth rose, meadow rose, smooth wild rose
Hun: kőrislevelű rózsa
Swe: labradorros
Fra: rosier inerme, rosier agréable, rosier sauvage, églantier
En: Smooth rose, Meadow rose, Smooth wild rose, Smooth Rock-spleenwort
Fr: Rosier inerme, Rosier agréable, Rosier sauvage, Églantier
De: Labrador-Rose, Eschen-Rose
Hu: Kőrislevelű rózsa
Lt: Blyškusis erškėtis
Pl: Róża labradorska
Sv: Labradorros

Synonyms

• Rosa blanda var. hispida (Farw.)
• Rosa johannensis (Fernald)
• Rosa blanda var. typica (C.K.Schneid.)
• Rosa blanda f. willmottiae (Baker)
• Rosa blanda f. alba ((Schuette ex Erlanson) Fernald)
• Rosa blanda var. acicularioides ((Schuette) Rosend. & Butters)
• Rosa blanda f. albinea ((Fernald) Scoggan)
• Rosa rousseauiorum (B.Boivin)
• Rosa blanda var. alba (Schuette ex Erlanson)
• Rosa johannensis f. albinea (Fernald)
• Rosa blanda f. angustior (Vict. & Roll.-Germ.)
• Rosa blanda carpohispida (Schuette)
• Rosa subblanda (Rydb.)
• Rosa williamsii (Fernald)
• Rosa gemella (Willd.)
• Rosa fraxinifolia var. blanda ((Aiton) Ser.)
• Rosa cinnamomea subsp. blanda ((Aiton) Nyman)
• Rosa cinnamomea var. gemella ((Willd.) Ser.)
• Rosa rousseauiorum f. chrysocarpa ((B.Boivin) B.Boivin)
• Rosa blanda glandulosa (Schuette)
• Rosa rousseauiorum var. chrysocarpa (B.Boivin)
• Rosa turgida (Pers.)
• Rosa blanda f. carpohispida ((Schuette) W.H.Lewis)
• Rosa blanda var. hermannii (Erlanson)
• Rosa blanda var. glabra (Crép.)
• Rosa blanda var. sublaevis (Cockerell)
• Rosa dasistema (Raf.)
• Rosa blanda subgeminata (Schuette)
• Rosa blanda var. setigera (Crép.)
• Rosa palustris var. dasistema ((Raf.) E.J.Palmer & Steyerm.)
• Rosa blanda var. pubescens (Crép.)
• Rosa blanda nuda (Schuette)
• Rosa fraxinea (Willd.)

Distribution

• Colorado (native)
• Illinois (native)
• Indiana (native)
• Iowa (native)
• Maine (native)
• Manitoba (native)
• Maryland (native)
• Masachusettes (native)
• Michigan (native)
• Minnesota (native)
• Missouri (native)
• Nebraska (native)
• New Brunswick (native)
• New Hampshire (native)
• New York (native)
• North Dakota (native)
• Northwest Territorie (native)
• Nova Scotia (native)
• Ohio (native)
• Ontario (native)
• Pennsylvania (native)
• Québec (native)
• Rhode I. (native)
• Saskatchewan (native)
• South Dakota (native)
• Vermont (native)
• West Virginia (native)
• Wisconsin (native)
• Austria (introduced)
• Baltic States (introduced)
• Hungary (introduced)
• Poland (introduced)

Additional Images

Flower

Taken Sep 17, 2022 by Goulidan Finch (cc-by-sa)

Leaf

Taken May 14, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken May 14, 2022 by Andrzej Konstantynowicz (cc-by-sa)

Taken Nov 20, 2020 by Diego Alex (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jun 3, 2020 by David Hinds (cc-by-sa)

Taken Jul 26, 2019 by Varvarenja (cc-by-sa)

Habit

Taken Jul 26, 2020 by Ben 14240 (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.

Sources

• WFO (No URL)
• GBIF (https://www.gbif.org/species/3002372)
• POWO (http://powo.science.kew.org/taxon/urn:lsid:ipni.org:names:222243-2)
• PlantNet (https://identify.plantnet.org/species/the-plant-list/Rosa blanda Aiton)

Specifications

Growth habit>: Subshrub

Growth