Prickly Rose
Rosa acicularisfam. Rosaceae
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Pl. CEDA — Rosa acicularis
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IOverview
Overview
Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis) is a subshrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family and can be found in a wide range of locations including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and parts of China and Russia. Known for its edible and medicinal properties, this plant thrives in moist soil with a pH between 6.8 and 7.5, preferring light to partial shade. It grows up to 2.5 meters tall and is native to regions such as Alaska, Alberta, Altay, Amur, and British Columbia. One distinctive feature of the Prickly Rose is its thorny stems, which make it a unique addition to any garden or landscape. Its edible parts include flowers, fruit, seeds, and shoots, making it a valuable plant for both ornamental and culinary purposes.
Quick answers
What is Prickly Rose?
Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis) is a subshrub that belongs to the Rosaceae family and can be found in a wide range of locations including Alaska, Alberta, British Columbia, and parts of China and Russia. Known for its edible and medicinal properties, this plant thrives in moist soil with a pH between 6.
What is Prickly Rose used for?
Traditionally used for topical & skin, immune support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 2 evidence-ranked uses of Prickly Rose
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
2 claims · 0 sources- Traditional-use note: Prickly Rose appears in herbal sources around traditional skin-care routines, often as a topical preparation. PlantSage presents this as ethnobotanical context, not as medical advice.
Traditional context only. This reviewed claim keeps the original moderate confidence level, but avoids treatment, disease, dosage, or guaranteed-effect language.
- Traditional use across Northern European and Siberian folk medicine documents rose hips as a tea infusion to support immune resilience, particularly during seasonal transitions. Rosa acicularis hips, rich in vitamin C and polyphenols, may help maintain healthy immune response as an adjunct to balanced nutrition.
Rose hips contain high levels of vitamin C (ascorbic acid), flavonoids, and tannins—compounds with established roles in antioxidant defence and immune cell function. The genus Rosa is documented in Commission E monographs (Rosa canina) for immune-supportive properties via polyphenol-mediated pathways. Standardization typically targets 1.5–3% vitamin C content in dried hips. Mechanism not fully characterised for this species specifically, but aligns with well-studied sister species in the genus.
IV·bMixology suggestions
1 draft
Mixology suggestions
1 draftEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Prickly Rose support blend
generaltea
AI returned a direct ingredient list; normalized into one draft blend for editorial review.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Prickly Rose thrives in full to partial sun and requires moist, well-drained soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It prefers a pH between 6.8 and 7.5. Hardy in temperate regions, this subshrub can grow up to 2.5 meters tall. For propagation, use stem cuttings or seeds. Edible parts include flowers, fruit, seeds, shoots, and stems, making it useful both for ornamental and culinary purposes.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Habit
Subshrub
Mature size
2.5 m tall
Soil pH
6.8–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Prickly Rose for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance approach to growing Prickly Rose.
- 1
What you'll need
Prickly Rose plants or seeds, garden tools like a spade and trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in early spring or late fall when the soil is workable but not too wet.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure the soil is well-draining, with a pH between 6.8–7.5. Amend as needed.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants in spring or sow seeds directly where they will grow in early spring.
- 5
First two weeks
Water the plant regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Monitor for pests and diseases.
- 6
Ongoing care
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring, ensuring good air circulation around the plant.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune regularly to maintain shape and remove dead wood. Harvest flowers for decoration or drying.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, not providing enough sunlight, neglecting regular pruning, using harsh chemicals, planting in unsuitable soil.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersFruitSeedShootsStem
Edible uses: Tea
Other uses:DyeHedgerow
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe1 region
native (1)Russia
Asia4 regions
native (4)ChinaJapanMongoliaSouth Korea
Americas1 region
native (1)United States
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Massachusetts, Altay, Amur, British Columbia, Buryatiya, Chita, Colorado, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Irkutsk, Kamchatka, Khabarovsk, Krasnoyarsk, Magadan, Maine, Manitoba, Michigan, Minnesota
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family (Rosaceae), common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
XII
About this entry
- Last updated
- Citation
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