swamp rose

Rosa palustris

The swamp rose is a beautiful flower that grows in wet areas. It has lovely pink petals and a sweet smell that attracts butterflies and bees!

Habitat: Wetlands

Appearance

The swamp rose is a medium-sized shrub with arching, thorny stems and shiny green leaves. Its vibrant pink flowers have five petals and bright yellow centers, often followed by small red rose hips in fall.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderRosalesFamilyRosaceaeGenusRosa

swamp rose

Interesting facts

Ancient peoples used swamp rose hips to make healthy teas and jams!

Each beautiful pink flower only lasts a single day before new ones open!

Some butterflies use swamp rose as a safe place to lay their eggs!

The tiny seeds inside rose hips can stay dormant for many years, waiting to grow!

Special abilities

Swamp rose can grow in soggy wetlands and even standing water, where most plants would struggle to survive.

Its sharp thorns protect the stems and leaves from hungry animals trying to take a bite, helping it defend itself.

This rose grows bright red, vitamin-rich rose hips that provide food for birds and other wildlife, aiding reproduction.

Measurements & details

Height: 100-200 cm
Spread: 100-150 cm
Flower Size: 4-6 cm
Bloom Season: Summer
Edible: Yes
Toxicity: None
Lifecycle: Perennial
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen from flowers

pollinates

Common Eastern Bumble Bee

Bombus impatiens

is a major pollinator of its flowers

eats

White-tailed deer

Odocoileus virginianus

browses its leaves and young stems

eaten by

American robin

Turdus migratorius

eats the nutritious rose hips

Traits

Flowering

Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.

Shrub

A shrub is a woody plant smaller than a tree, typically with multiple stems branching from or near the ground.

Summer Blooming

Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.

Fragrant Flower

Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.

Medicinal

Medicinal plants possess chemical compounds that can be used for therapeutic purposes to treat illnesses or maintain health.

Edible

Edible plants are those parts of a plant that are considered safe for human consumption.

Pollinator Magnet

Describes plants that are particularly attractive and beneficial to a wide range of pollinating organisms.

Wetland

This habitat trait identifies species found in wetlands, which are areas of land saturated with water, either permanently or seasonally, including marshes, swamps, and bogs.