Home > Herbs > Rosa Agrestis

Small-Leaved Sweet-Briar

Rosa agrestis · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (3 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Small-Leaved Sweet-Briar, scientifically known as Rosa agrestis, is a resilient, flowering shrub prized for its aromatic qualities and therapeutic potential. Renowned for its delicate blooms and fragrant petals, this plant offers diverse medicinal benefits, traditionally used to soothe inflammation, support digestive health, and provide antioxidant-rich botanical extracts.

Family
Rosaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Small-Leaved Sweet-Briar · Fieldbriar · 1 more
Scientific synonyms
Rosa Sepium F. Mentita · Rosa Coriifolia Var. Agrestis · 185 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Rosa agrestis

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Acker-Rose
  • Feld-Rose
  • Feldrose
  • Hoher Hagedorn

French:

  • Églantier agreste
  • Églantier des haies
  • rosier agreste
  • Rosier agreste
  • Églantier agreste
  • Églantier des haies

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. It is further organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Ultimately, the medicinal species is categorized under the genus Rosa.

Rank Classification
Kingdom Plantae
Phylum Streptophyta
Class Equisetopsida
Subclass Magnoliidae
Order Rosales
Family Rosaceae
Genus Rosa

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific distribution pattern across several parts of the European continent. In Northern Europe, its presence is recorded in Denmark, Great Britain, and Ireland. The species also extends its range further north into Sweden. Additionally, it can be found within the central regions of Middle Europe, specifically in Austria. These locations collectively define the known geographical reach of Rosa agrestis.

Region Area
Northern Europe Denmark
Northern Europe Great Britain
Northern Europe Ireland
Northern Europe Sweden
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Netherlands

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rosa agrestis is characterized by its ability to thrive in diverse and transitional environmental zones. It is most commonly found colonizing forest edges, where it benefits from the increased light availability at the periphery of dense woodlands, as well as in mountainous regions where it adapts to varying elevations and cooler climates. Additionally, this species frequently populates shrubberies and roadside areas, demonstrating a high degree of resilience in disturbed habitats and open, scrubby landscapes. Through these varied habitats, the plant plays a role in stabilizing soil and providing structure within ecotones.

Habitat :
forest edges, mountains, roadsides, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Rosa agrestis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth strategy, the species exhibits characteristics of both phanerophytes and nanophanerophytes, utilizing woody stems to maintain its stature and navigate its environment. The plant follows a deciduous pattern, shedding its foliage periodically as part of its seasonal life cycle.

Deciduousness :
deciduous
Life form :
nanophanerophyte
Life form :
phanerophyte
Lifecycle :
perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rosa agrestis is characterized by a woody growth habit that manifests as a combination of shrub and subshrub forms. This plant is a self-supporting species, lacking the climbing mechanisms of lianas or vines, and it functions as an independent organism rather than a parasite or epiphyte, maintaining a strictly terrestrial existence. In terms of stature, the plant exhibits significant vertical variability, with heights ranging from a minimum of 1 meter to a maximum of 4 meters, maintaining a mean height of approximately 1.25 meters.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
shrub
Growth form :
subshrub
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
4 m
Plant height mean:
1.25 m
Plant height min:
1 m
Woodiness :
woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rosa agrestis is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The plant exhibits specific morphological adaptations reflected in its leaf architecture, maintaining a mean leaf size of 3.3765 cm². Furthermore, its resource allocation strategy and leaf density are indicated by a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 103.22 cm²/g, a metric that describes the ratio of leaf area to dry mass.

Leaf size mean:
3.3765 cm²
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
103.22 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rosa agrestis is characterized by a specific flowering phenology and specialized biological mechanisms for pollination and seed dispersal. The flowering period typically commences in June and extends through July. During this stage, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects to facilitate the transfer of pollen. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is supported by these insect interactions. Following successful fertilization, the plant produces seeds with a relatively small mass; the mean seed mass is approximately 0.0198 g, with individual seeds ranging from a minimum of 0.018 g to a maximum of 0.02192 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous syndrome, specifically employing endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed via the digestive tracts of animals, ensuring the spread of the species to new habitats.

Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Dispersal syndrome :
endozoochorous
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
Jul
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Seed mass max:
0.02192 g
Seed mass mean:
0.0198155556666667 g
Seed mass min:
0.018 g
Self fertilization :
present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rosa agrestis has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Astragalin.

Chemicals reported in Rosa agrestis
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
Astragalin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Astragalin

  1. Archives of pharmacal research

Activities

Rosa agrestis has 1 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Activities reported in Rosa agrestis
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
Antioxidant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Antioxidant

  1. Archives of pharmacal research

Conditions

Rosa agrestis has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include acute lung injury.

Conditions investigated for Rosa agrestis
Condition Supporting sources Consensus
Acute lung injury 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Acute lung injury

  1. Archives of pharmacal research