# Prairie Rose (*rosa arkansana*)

The Prairie Rose is a beautiful flower that blooms in vibrant pink colors! Kids love to see how its petals open up in the sunlight and attract buzzing bees.

- **Category:** [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/categories/plant)
- **Rarity:** Common
- **Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger
- **Snaps:** 1
- **Habitat:** Prairie fields and meadows across North America
- **Also known as:** Arkansas Rose, Prairie Wild Rose

![Prairie Rose](https://commons.wikimedia.org/w/index.php?title=Special:Redirect/file/Rosa_arkansana.jpg&width=800)

Photo: Alexwcovington, CC BY-SA 3.0 · [Wikimedia Commons](https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:Rosa_arkansana.jpg)

## Appearance

The Prairie Rose has simple, five-petaled flowers, typically bright to pale pink, with a prominent yellow center. Its stems are often covered in sharp thorns, and it grows in a bushy form, creating a visually distinct pop of color in open landscapes.

## Taxonomy

- **Kingdom:** Plantae
- **Phylum:** Tracheophyta
- **Class:** Magnoliopsida
- **Order:** Rosales
- **Family:** Rosaceae
- **Genus:** Rosa

## Interesting facts

- Bumblebees sometimes take naps right inside its cozy pink flowers!
- Its fruit, called rose hips, are packed with more Vitamin C than oranges!
- Some birds rely on its thorny branches for safe nesting spots!
- This tough plant can regrow quickly even after prairie fires!

## Special abilities

- **Thorny Protector:** Prairie Rose has sharp thorns that help it defend against hungry animals trying to eat its leaves and stems.
- **Deep Root Drinker:** Prairie Rose can grow deep roots that help it find water far underground, surviving dry prairie conditions.
- **Pollinator Beacon:** Prairie Rose has bright pink petals and a sweet scent that help it attract busy bees and butterflies to pollinate its flowers.

## Measurements & details

- **Height:** 30-90 cm
- **Spread:** 30-60 cm
- **Flower Size:** 3-6 cm
- **Bloom Season:** Late spring to mid-summer
- **Edible:** Yes
- **Toxicity:** None
- **Lifecycle:** Perennial
- **Pollination Method:** Insect

## Ecological connections

- **Pollinates:** European honey bee (*Apis mellifera*) — Gathers nectar and pollen from its flowers.
- **Pollinates:** Common Eastern Bumblebee (*Bombus impatiens*) — Visits flowers to collect nectar and pollen.
- **Eaten by:** [Elk](https://www.snappit.app/explore/elk) (*Cervus canadensis*) — Browses on the tender leaves and stems.
- **Eats:** [American Robin](https://www.snappit.app/explore/american-robin) (*Turdus migratorius*) — Feeds on the vitamin-rich rose hips.

## Traits

- [Solitary](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/solitary): Solitary animals live alone for most of their lives, only interacting with others for mating or parental care.
- [Colorful](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/colorful): Colorful describes organisms or objects displaying a wide range of bright and distinct colors.
- [Grassland](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/grassland): Grassland habitats are terrestrial biomes dominated by grasses and herbaceous plants, supporting a variety of grazing animals.
- [Diurnal](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/diurnal): Diurnal animals are primarily active during daylight hours, typically resting or sleeping at night.
- [Pollinator](https://www.snappit.app/explore/traits/pollinator): Describes organisms that transfer pollen, enabling the fertilization and reproduction of plants.

## Collections

- [Plants](https://www.snappit.app/explore/collections/plants)

## Safety

**Danger:** 0/5 · No known danger

No special safety notes yet.

## Frequently Asked Questions

### How to identify Prairie Rose?

Start with the whole plant, then compare leaf arrangement, leaf edges, stems and any flowers or fruit. Opposite leaves grow in pairs; alternate leaves come one at a time along the stem. These details tell you far more together than a single green leaf does. Plant Identifier: upload a photo and compare the visible details.

### How tall is Prairie Rose?

30-90 cm

### How wide does Prairie Rose spread?

30-60 cm

### How big are the flowers on Prairie Rose?

3-6 cm

### When does Prairie Rose bloom?

Late spring to mid-summer

### Is Prairie Rose edible?

Yes

### Is Prairie Rose toxic?

None

### What is Prairie Rose's lifecycle?

Perennial

## Where to spot

- [Black Earth Rettenmund Prairie State Natural Area](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/black-earth-rettenmund-prairie-state-natural-area) — Wisconsin, US · State Park
- [Jewel Cave National Monument](https://www.snappit.app/guides/places/jewel-cave-national-monument) — South Dakota, US · National Park

## More Plants

- [white snakeroot](https://www.snappit.app/explore/white-snakeroot) (*Ageratina altissima*)
- [tree-of-heaven](https://www.snappit.app/explore/tree-of-heaven) (*Ailanthus altissima*)
- [western sword fern](https://www.snappit.app/explore/western-sword-fern) (*Polystichum munitum*)
- [common milkweed](https://www.snappit.app/explore/common-milkweed) (*Asclepias syriaca*)

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Source: [Prairie Rose: Facts & Places to See — Snappit](https://www.snappit.app/explore/prairie-rose)