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Rosa alpina

Rosa pendulina · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Sparse (10 studies) · ★☆☆☆☆

Rosa alpina, scientifically known as Rosa pendulina, is a charming perennial shrub native to the mountainous regions of Europe. Renowned for its delicate, pale pink blossoms and graceful arching stems, this medicinal plant is traditionally valued in herbalism for its soothing properties and its ability to support overall wellness.

Family
Rosaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Flower
Common names
Alpine Rose · Mountain Rose
Scientific synonyms
Rosa Brandisii · Rosa Adjecta · 263 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Rosa pendulina

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

German:

  • Gebirgs-Rose
  • Alpen-Rose
  • Hängefrucht-Rose
  • Gebirgs-Rose
  • Alpen-Hagrose

French:

  • rosier des Alpes
  • églantier à fruits pendants
  • églantier des Alpes
  • rosier sans épines
  • Rosier ou églantier des Alpes
  • rosier des alpes

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified within the phylum Streptophyta and class Equisetopsida. Following the subclass Magnoliidae, it is organized under the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae. Ultimately, its taxonomic identity is defined by its placement within 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 is widely distributed across various regions of Middle Europe. In the western part of this territory, it can be found growing in Belgium. Moving eastward, its presence is well-documented throughout Germany and Austria. The species also inhabits the central landscapes of Czechia and Slovakia. Finally, its geographical range extends further into the region of Hungary.

Region Area
Middle Europe Austria
Middle Europe Belgium
Middle Europe Czechia-Slovakia
Middle Europe Germany
Middle Europe Hungary
Middle Europe Poland
Middle Europe Switzerland
Southwestern Europe France
Southwestern Europe Spain
Southeastern Europe Albania

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rosa pendulina is defined by its ability to thrive across a diverse range of environments, manifesting primarily in forest edges, open meadows, riparian zones near rivers, and dense shrubberies. It functions as a resilient component of transitional ecosystems, often occupying the ecotones where woodland meets open space. In forest settings, it favors the dappled light of the understory or the periphery, while in meadow and shrubby habitats, it competes effectively for sunlight and space. Its presence near rivers indicates a tolerance for moist soils and high humidity, allowing it to stabilize banks and integrate into riparian vegetation structures. This wide ecological plasticity enables the species to occupy various niches, from shaded woodland margins to sun-exposed scrublands, facilitating its distribution across varied landscapes.

Habitat :
forest, meadows, rivers, shrubberies

Life history

The life history of Rosa pendulina is characterized by its existence as a perennial species, ensuring its presence in the ecosystem through multiple growing seasons. It exhibits a dual classification regarding its growth structure, functioning as both a phanerophyte, where its woody stems extend above the ground, and a nanophanerophyte, reflecting its relatively compact or low-growing shrubby habit. In terms of its seasonal foliage patterns, the plant is categorized as evergreen, maintaining its vegetative structure throughout the year.

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

Morphology

The morphology of Rosa pendulina is characterized by a woody growth form that functions as both a shrub and a subshrub. As a terrestrial species, it does not exhibit aquatic or epiphytic tendencies and grows as an independent organism rather than a parasite. The plant is self-supporting in its climbing habit, meaning it does not require external structures like a liana or vine to maintain its posture. In terms of stature, its height is variable, ranging from a minimum of 0.2 m to a maximum of 3.05 m, with an average plant height of approximately 1.25 m.

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

Physiology

The physiology of Rosa pendulina is characterized by its efficient carbon assimilation and specific morphological adaptations. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which is typical for many temperate woody species, relying on the direct fixation of atmospheric carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Its leaf morphology reflects a specific balance between light interception and resource management, with a mean leaf size of 22.34 cm². Furthermore, the plant exhibits a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 221.8 cm²/g, a physiological indicator that provides insight into its leaf thickness and biomass distribution per unit of area, reflecting its strategy for optimizing gas exchange and light capture within its ecological niche.

Leaf size mean:
22.34 cm²
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
221.8 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rosa pendulina is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that begins in May and continues through July. The reproductive process is primarily driven by biotic pollination, specifically utilizing an insect pollination syndrome to facilitate fertilization. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is closely tied to these biological agents. Following successful pollination, the plant produces seeds with a mean mass of approximately 0.020402 g. The dispersal of these seeds follows a zoochorous strategy, specifically through endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being ingested by animals, ensuring the spread of the species across its habitat.

Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Dispersal syndrome :
endozoochorous
Flowering time :
May
Flowering time :
Jul
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Seed mass mean:
0.020402 g
Self fertilization :
present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rosa pendulina has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include flower.

Plant parts reported in Rosa pendulina
Plant part Supporting sources Consensus
Flower 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Flower

  1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Chemicals

Rosa pendulina has 6 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include ANTHOCYANIN, Anthocyanins, CATALASE, Flavonoids, LIGNIN.

Chemicals reported in Rosa pendulina
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
ANTHOCYANIN 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anthocyanins 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
CATALASE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
LIGNIN 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
salicylic acid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

ANTHOCYANIN

  1. Plant & cell physiology

Anthocyanins

  1. Plant & cell physiology

CATALASE

  1. Phytotherapy research : PTR

Flavonoids

  1. Plant direct

LIGNIN

  1. Plant direct

salicylic acid

  1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Rosa pendulina has 2 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include aqueous and/or methanolic extracts, flower.

Preparations reported for Rosa pendulina
Preparation Supporting sources Consensus
Aqueous and/or methanolic extracts 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flower 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

Aqueous and/or methanolic extracts

  1. Biological & pharmaceutical bulletin

Flower

  1. Phytotherapy research : PTR