(Prairie Rose)
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 9457
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 9442
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 9447
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 9437
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 9462
Rosa arkansana, CR366 west of Buena Vista, Chaffee Co. 4529
| Scientific Name | Rosa arkansana | USDA PLANTS Symbol | ROAR3 |
| Common Name | Prairie Rose, Arkansas Rose | ITIS Taxonomic Serial No. | 24815 |
| Family | Rosaceae (Rose) | SEINet Reference |
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| Description |
Life zones and habitat: Plains and foothills (3500 to 7500 ft.); various types of dryer soils; plains, hills, fields, prairies, thickets, open woodlands, roadsides, waste areas, etc. Plant: Long-lived branching shrub 1.5 to 8 ft. tall with erect, flexible stems that are dull red to purplish red, densely covered with straight, slender thorns usually 1 to 3.5 mm long or longer; plants generally die back each year to near the base due to drought or freezing. Leaves: Alternate, odd pinnately-compound leaves with usually 7 to 9 obovate to elliptic leaflets, 1/2 to 2-1/2 inches long and 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches wide; dark green and nearly smooth above, paler and pubescent below; upper 2/3 of edges are serrate. Inflorecence: Clusters of a few (or occasionally single) large blossoms that are pink or rose, sometimes fading white, rarely white blossoms at stem tips; each blossom 1-1/2 to 2-1/2 inches wide with 5 broad petals with rounded tips; numerous yellow stamens; 5 spreading to erect, lanceolate sepals, 1/2 to 1-1/4 inches long with stiff, glandular hairs, remaining (persistent) after petals drop. Bloom Period: June to August. References: "Flora of Colorado" by Jennifer Ackerfield, Flora of North America, Kansas Wildflowers and Grasses and US Forest Service. Note: The photos here show white flowers while most authorities indicate that the blossoms are pink, except for Ackerfield and FNA (above) that allow for white. |
BONAP Distribution Map
Map Color Key |
Colorado Status: Native |
© Tom Lebsack 2025
Banner photo: Castilleja rhexifolia and a brewing storm over the San Juan Mountains
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