Seasonal Wild Flowers

Field-rose

Rosa arvensis

Rosaceae

June to August (2 weeks after Dog Rose)

It is found throughout the country except for the far North.

See the BSBI distribution map for Field-rose

It grows in open woodland and scrub, beside roads and

railways, and in hedges.

Field-rose is a native, deciduous shrub, growing up to 2m.

It climbs over other plants using hooked prickles, and may

form dense patches.

Flowers are up to 5cm across, with 5 creamy-white petals.

Sepals are purplish and glandular - as are the flower stalks.

Newly opened flowers have numerous stamens with yellow

anthers.

The anthers darken over time.

The styles and stigmas form a central column, which is a

major aid to identification.

Fruits are red hips.

Leaves are bright green.

Stems are purple and trailing.

Field-rose on dune slack, Blackpool

Newly open flower - yellow anthers

Close-up of style column and stamens

Older flower - dark anthers

Purplish, glandular sepals

Leaves and purple stems