How do you recognise Field rose (Rosa arvensis)?

Leaf

Bertrand Bui, Tela Botanica · CC BY-SA 2.0

Field rose

Rosa arvensis Huds.

Also known as: Trailing rose

Family: Rosaceae

0.3 to 1 m tall, branches often trailing or climbing

Hedgerows, woodland edges, gardens, ordinary soils

Flowering: June – July

Full sun

Part shade

Hardy to -25°C

❓ How do you recognise this plant?

Unlike the dog rose, its stems creep or arch along the ground rather than standing upright. The field rose has styles fused into a protruding column in the centre of the flower and a climbing or trailing habit, whereas the dog rose has free, hairy styles and an upright, bushy habit.

🍃 Leaves

Deciduous, compound, bright green toothed leaflets

🌸 Flowers

Large single white flowers, slightly scented

🍎 Fruits

Small orange-red rose hips

🪵 Bark

Long, flexible stems, arching or trailing, curved prickles

🗺️ Distribution

Europe; found in hedgerows and woodland edges throughout France, especially in the west.

🐝 Value for pollinators

Pollen-rich single white flowers, visited by wild bees and hoverflies.

✂️ Horticultural uses

Planted in informal country hedges, valued for its flexible habit and white flowers.

⚠️ Possible toxicity

No known toxicity.

⚠️ Look-alike species

Field rose

Rosa arvensis

Dog rose

Rosa canina

The field rose has styles fused into a protruding column in the centre of the flower and a climbing or trailing habit, whereas the dog rose has free, hairy styles and an upright, bushy habit.

🌿 Other Rosaceae to discover

ℹ️ Educational profile — do not use it to judge whether a plant is edible or safe.

🌱 This database is constantly evolving — species and information are added and corrected regularly. Spotted a mistake? Report it below.