WildBristol.uk - Discovering Wildlife in Bristol

Common and widespread in the Southern half of the UK becoming scattered and scarce elsewhere. Habitat includes: On all but the most acidic soils in places such as woodland edge / clearings / rides, roadside verges, railway banks, scrub, hedgerows, wasteland etc. Growing habit: Deciduous, Perennial shrub. It has weak flexuous stems which often climb over other vegetation, often forming dense patches. Height: Up to 3 m. Flowers: June to August. ID: Always has white flowers 30 - 50 mm in diameter and normally solitary or 2 - 3 together. Styles are bundled together to make 1 short column as long as the stamens. Plants with pink flowers may be hybrids or possibly R. stylosa (Short-styled Field-rose), which has styles shorter than stamens and white or pale pink flowers. Field Rose also has weak trailing green stems, with sparse, hooked prickles. Sepals deflexed soon falling. Hips are oval, red and smooth.