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R. rubiginosa

Rosa rubiginosa · Accepted scientific name

Scientific literature: Very Extensive (234 studies) · ★★★★★

R. rubiginosa, scientifically known as Rosa rubiginosa, is a resilient, thorny shrub native to the mountainous regions of Europe and Asia. Valued for its vibrant pink blossoms and nutrient-rich hips, this species is widely utilized in traditional medicine for its potent antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, and immune-boosting therapeutic properties.

Family
Rosaceae
Native range
Europe
Parts used
Not available
Common names
Briar Rose · Sweetbriar · 7 more
Scientific synonyms
Rosa Rubiginosa Denudata · Rosa Eglanteria Major · 300 more

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Rosa rubiginosa

Synonyms

Regional and Traditional Names

Spanish:

  • mosqueta
  • rosa mosqueta

German:

  • Wein-Rose
  • Weinrose
  • Wein-Rose
  • Gewöhnliche Wein-Rose
  • Weinrose

French:

  • églantier
  • églantine
  • Églantier odorant
  • rosier rouillé
  • rosier rouillé
  • rosier églantier
  • rosier églantier typique
  • églantier odorant
  • Rosier eglantier
  • Rosier rubigineux
  • Rosier à odeur de pomme
  • Églantier couleur de rouille

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, specifically classified under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is identified by 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, Rosa rubiginosa, is found across several regions within Northern Europe. Its distribution includes the coastal and inland areas of Denmark. It is also widely documented throughout Great Britain and Ireland. Furthermore, the species can be located within the northern territories of Norway. Finally, its presence extends through the landscapes of Sweden.

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

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rosa rubiginosa is characterized by its ability to thrive across a broad altitudinal gradient, ranging from sea level (0 m AMSL) up to high-altitude environments reaching a maximum of 2000 m AMSL. This plant is typically found colonizing diverse landscapes, showing a preference for meadows, shrubberies, and stony places. Its capacity to inhabit these varied terrains, from open grassy areas to rocky, disturbed ground, highlights its adaptability to different soil structures and microclimates within its elevational range.

Elevational range max:
2000 m AMSL
Elevational range min:
0 m AMSL
Habitat :
meadows, shrubberies, stony places

Life history

The life history of Rosa rubiginosa is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, ensuring its long-term persistence within its ecological niche. Functioning primarily as a phanerophyte, the species maintains its woody stems above the ground, though it can also be classified under the nanophanerophyte life form depending on the specific environmental conditions and the height of its visible shoots. The plant exhibits a deciduous nature, shedding its foliage seasonally as part of its natural growth cycle.

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

Morphology

The morphology of Rosa rubiginosa is characterized by a woody, shrub growth form that functions as a self-supporting plant. It is a terrestrial species that grows independently, lacking any parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. The plant exhibits significant variability in its stature, with heights ranging from a minimum of 0.5 m to a maximum of 5 m, maintaining a mean height of approximately 1.75 m.

Aquatic :
terrestrial
Climber :
self-supporting
Epiphyte :
terrestrial
Growth form :
shrub
Parasite :
independent
Plant height max:
5 m
Plant height mean:
1.75 m
Plant height min:
0.5 m
Woodiness :
woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rosa rubiginosa is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, a standard metabolic process for most temperate woody species that optimizes carbon fixation under moderate environmental conditions. The plant is non-carnivorous and does not function as a nitrogen fixer, relying instead on soil nutrient availability for its developmental needs. Morphologically, its foliar physiology is reflected in its leaf dimensions, which exhibit a mean leaf size of approximately 9.17285 cm². The leaves vary in length from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 2.5 cm, while the width shows significant plasticity, ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm, with a mean width of 4 cm. Furthermore, the plant maintains a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 114 cm²/g, a metric that provides insight into its leaf mass distribution and its strategy for balancing light interception with resource conservation.

Carnivory :
non-carnivorous
Leaf length max:
2.5 cm
Leaf length min:
1 cm
Leaf size mean:
9.17285 cm²
Leaf width max:
1.5 cm
Leaf width mean:
4 cm
Leaf width min:
1 cm
Nitrogen fixer :
no
Photosynthetic pathway :
C3
Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:
114 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rosa rubiginosa involves both sexual and asexual processes, as asexual reproduction is present in this species. The flowering period typically begins in June and concludes in August. During the flowering stage, the plant utilizes a biotic pollination syndrome, specifically relying on insects, with bees being a primary pollinator. While the plant is capable of self-fertilization, its reproductive success is heavily supported by these insect interactions. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fleshy fruits that have a mean length of 1.7 cm and a mean width of 1.4 cm. These fruits facilitate seed dispersal through a zoochorous syndrome, specifically via endozoochory, where seeds are dispersed after being consumed by animals. The seeds themselves are characterized by a mean mass of approximately 0.01499 g (ranging from a minimum of 0.01129 g to a maximum of 0.01959 g) and a consistent seed volume of 14 mm³.

Dispersal syndrome :
zoochorous
Dispersal syndrome :
endozoochorous
Flowering time :
Jun
Flowering time :
Aug
Fruit dryness :
fleshy
Fruit length mean:
1.7 cm
Fruit width mean:
1.4 cm
Pollination syndrome :
insect
Pollination syndrome :
bee
Pollination syndrome :
biotic
Reproduction asexual :
present
Seed mass max:
0.01959 g
Seed mass mean:
0.0149897143333333 g
Seed mass min:
0.01129 g
Seed volume max:
14 mm³
Self fertilization :
present

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Rosa rubiginosa has 20 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include polyphenols, Carotenoid, Carotenoids, Flavonoids, Glycosides.

Chemicals reported in Rosa rubiginosa
Chemical Supporting sources Consensus
polyphenols 2 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Carotenoid 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Carotenoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Flavonoids 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Glycosides 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
LYCOPENE 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
O-VANILLIN 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Rubixanthin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Taraxanthin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Zeaxanthin 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

polyphenols

  1. Dr. Duke
  2. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Carotenoid

  1. Antioxidants (Basel, Switzerland)

Carotenoids

  1. Dr. Duke

Flavonoids

  1. Dr. Duke

Glycosides

  1. Dr. Duke

LYCOPENE

  1. Dr. Duke

O-VANILLIN

  1. Dr. Duke

Rubixanthin

  1. Dr. Duke

Taraxanthin

  1. Dr. Duke

Zeaxanthin

  1. Dr. Duke

Activities

Rosa rubiginosa has 213 reported activities identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include 5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor, Acidulant, Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor, Allergenic, Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor.

Activities reported in Rosa rubiginosa
Activity Supporting sources Consensus
5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Acidulant 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Allergenic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Analgesic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Androgenic? 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anemiagenic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆
Anthelmintic 1 supporting sources ★☆☆☆☆

5-Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

  1. Dr. Duke

Acidulant

  1. Dr. Duke

Aldose-Reductase-Inhibitor

  1. Dr. Duke

Allergenic

  1. Dr. Duke

Alpha-Reductase-Inhibitor

  1. Dr. Duke

Analgesic

  1. Dr. Duke

Androgenic?

  1. Dr. Duke

Anemiagenic

  1. Dr. Duke

Angiotensin-Receptor-Blocker

  1. Dr. Duke

Anthelmintic

  1. Dr. Duke