THE NATIVE ROSES OF SASKATCHEWAN

by VERNON L. HARMS*

Among the more common as well as roses are reasonably distinct and can showy wildflowers of Saskatchewan usually be identified both in the field are the various species of native roses and in the laboratory. which grow on the prairies, in the Although numerous species of native woodlands and along roadways. Their roses have often been recognized in dooming adds a profusion of colour Saskatchewan, and even Boivin in his and variety to the landscape. The roses recent Flora of the Prairie Provinces are also attractive in fruit stage with (Part I)1 still accepted six species, I heir usually bright red “hips”. These believe it is taxonomically best to con¬ :onspicuous flowering plants are sider all of these forms as belonging to 'amiliar to all nature lovers; yet it is only three good species. These three infortunate that the amateur naturalist species are (1) the Wild Prairie Rose s immediately confronted with a great (Rosa arkansana Porter, including R. lifficulty of distinguishing the various suffulta Greene, R. alcea Greene, R. pecies of native roses. The present ar- lunnellii Greene, R. suhglauca Rydb., icle is written in an attempt to lessen R. hushii Rydb., R. heliophila Greene his difficulty. and R. pratincola Greene), (2) Wild The roses are generally consid- Woods Rose (Rosa woodsii Lindl., in¬ red to be a taxonomically confused cluding R. fendleri Crepin, R. terrens roup. In the past, botanists Lunnell, R. macounii Greene, R. fim- ecognized numerous North American hriatula Greene, R. sandhergii Greene, pecies within the genus Rosa, but R. ultramontana Heller, R. aday it is usually thought best to com¬ grosseserrata A. Nels., R. salictorum ine many of these into far fewer, Rydb., R. pyrifera Rydb., R. eally good, supposedly self- puherulenta Rydb., R. lapwaiensis St. erpetuating, natural species. There is John and most previous Saskatchewan msiderable confusion about the iden- reports of R. hlanda Ait.), and (3) the ty of the species of Saskatchewan Wild Prickly Rose (Rosa acicularis 3ses which is mainly due to appar- Lindl., including R. hourgeauiana tly frequent hybridization between Crepin, R. hutleri Rydb., R. engelmanni ecies and to a considerable S. Wats, and R. sayi Schwein.). riability within each species. While Another species which has been repor¬ ost of this variability within species ted for Saskatchewan is the Smooth probably genetically based, some of Rose (Rosa hlanda Ait.) but, while this at least, appears environmentally is evidently a valid species to the east duced by growth in different of us, all specimens reported to be this bitats. This variability makes it hard species from Saskatchewan that I have clearly define the different species, seen would appear to represent an ex¬ owever, I still believe that despite treme, nearly prickleless form of ese difficulties our species of native either the Wild Woods Rose or sometimes the Wild Prairie Rose. Fraser Herbarium, liiversity of Saskatchewan, Rose plants are shrubs or lskatoon, Saskatchewan. semishrubs with the main stems either leptember, 1974. 32(3) 131 LEAFLETS*:.'

RACHIS

NODE STIPULES

LEAF OF ROSE PLANT TWIG OF ROSE PLANT WITH LEAVES AND FLOWERS

-PETALS--

.-SEPALS"

hypanthium (FLORAL CUP)

---PEDICEL (FLOWER STALK)-.

UNDERNEATH VIEW LONGITUDINAL SECTION OF ROSE FLOWER OF ROSE FLOWER

Fig. 1. Stem, leaf, and flower parts of a rose plant.

woody or semiherbaceous. The stems on whose rim are borne five partia are more or less prickly. The leaves fused, persistent, green sepals, fi occur singly at the stem nodes and are separate, early deciduous, pink to ro spirally arranged around the stems. (or rarely white) petals, and numero The leaves have prominent stipules stamens. The numerous simple pist and are compound with 5 to 1 1 leaflets are borne on the inside of the flor along a rachis (see Fig. 1). The wild cup with their long styles extendi rose flower is large and has an out of the opening at the top (see F exaggerated floral cup (hypanthium) 1). The ovary of each pistil develo

132 Blue J; 1 dm.

cm.

mm.

1 2 3 4 in. ig. 2. Comparison of metric measurements with inches.

nto an achene (the 1 -seeded true number 1 leads (alternatives in the ruit). The entire floral cup turns red- couplet); if the choice is the second of lish to reddish-purple when ripe and these number 1 leads, move on to the s called a rose “hip" or, loosely, the choice between the number 2 leads. In ose "fruit". Rose “hips" are a good this way one will arrive at the correct ource of Vitamin C and may be used species’ identification. A magnifying or making jelly, jam, and syrup. glass (at least 10X) is necessary in or¬ Jative peoples in the north have long der to properly see the hairs and sed them as a supplementary food glands on the leaf parts and elsewhere. ource. Each of the three native roses is The differences between the three illustrated in Figure 3. However, most ative species of Saskatchewan roses of the distinguishing characteristics hich are accepted here are shown in among the species of roses are too able 1. Measurements in this chart small to show on such drawing; these re given in the metric system since are indicated in the comparison chart lis is the language of the botanist and and identification key. )on will be for all of us. However, the There are some variations in each of inversion of the metric system to in- our species that appear worthy of les is shown in Fig. 2 for the con- taxonomic recognition. Within the mience of everyone. While a com- Wild Prairie Rose, plants with com¬ irison chart such as this one is pletely hairless leaves are recognized 'obably the best means for fully com¬ as variety arkansana. Most of our Wild iring and contrasting the characters Prairie Rose plants in Saskatchewan the various species and may also be belong to variety suffulta (Greene) >ed for the identification of unknown Cockerell with the leaf stalk, rachis •ecimens, an easier method for and undersurface of the leaflets quite ecies’ identification is the use of a densely hairy and sometimes the for¬ xonomic key. Such an identification mer sparsely glandular. Rarely oc¬ :y to separate our Saskatchewan curring are some plants with more ecies of roses follows. In using this strongly glandular stipules, leaf stalk ■y, first make a choice between the and rachis and these have often been

ptember, 1974. 32(3) 133 IDENTIFICATION KEY FOR THE NATIVE SASKATCHEWAN SPECIES OF ROSES 1. Main stems semiherbaceous, mostly dying back to ground level annual! generally unbranched, terminating in a round-topped cluster of several many flowers; stem prickles short, to 3 mm (1/8”), all slender and wea leaflets mostly 9-11, mostly less than 2.5 cm (1 ”) long, not glandular benea or on teeth; stipules, leaf stalk, and rachis mostly non-glandular except d the stipule teeth . Wild Prairie Rose (Rose arkansanc 1. Main stems woody, persistent through winter, much branched; the flowers fe| on short lateral branches or longer terminal branches from previous year stems; stem prickles longer, to 5 mm (1/5”); leaflets mostly 3-7, usually mo or less glandular beneath; stipules, leaf stalks, and rachis usually more less glandular . 2. Prickles below the stipules clearly differentiated, usually longer, stouter, w(! swollen bases, often flattened or recurved; stem prickles dense belo becoming sparser above, some slender with thin flat bases, some stout ai[ lit flattened with swollen bases; leaflets smaller, mostly shorter than 2.5 c1 9 (1”), usually acute at base; stipules, leaf stalk, rachis and leaflet undersu face only sparsely glandular; flowers small, 2.5 - 4 cm (1 - 1-1/2”) diameter; sepal length mostly 1 -1.5 cm (about 1 /2”); “hips” nearly spheric! without neck below, 6-12 mm (1/4-1/2”) in diameter. . Wild Woods Rose (Rosa woodsi

2. Prickles below the stipules not differentiated; stem prickles uniformly deni* to summit, all slender with thin flat bases; leaflets larger, mostly longer thf 2.5 cm (1”), with bases obtuse or rounded; stipules, leaf stalk, rachis, an i leaflet undersurface strongly glandular; flowers larger, 4-6 cm. (1-1/2 - | 1 /2”) in diameter; sepal length mostly 1.5-3 cm. (1 /2 - 1 1 /5”), hip spheric without neck, or else elongated ellipsoid or pear-shaped with a distinct nee 10-20 mm (1/2-1”) in diameter. Wild Prickly Rose (Rosa aciculari

separated as a distinct species, R. Within the Wild Woods Rose, plar alcea, but this does not seem warran¬ with hairless and glandless leaves ha ted. Boivin, in contrast to other been distinguished as variety woods authorities, distinguishes R. alcea as a Such plants are widespread but not t< type with flowering branches from per¬ common. Most of our Saskatchew; sistent woody stems of the previous plants of the Wild Woods Rose belo year.1 However, I would consider such to variety fendleri (Crepin) Rydb. wi o’ plants with the stems persisting more or less hairy and usual through the winter, rather than dying somewhat glandular leaves with glan completely back to ground level, as tipped teeth. Taller plants reaching probably only an environmental form 3 meters (6-1/2 - 10') and entire of the Wild Prairie Rose in more lacking gland-tipped teeth a protected sites. Such occasionally per¬ distinguished as variety ultramonta, sistent woody stems usually tend to (Wats.) Jeps., but this is a Roc produce short flowering branches the Mountain form apparently not to following year bearing fewer flowers expected in Saskatchewan. Anoth and blooming earlier than usual for form with numerous, unusually lar£ the species. stout, flattened prickles on the ma TABLE 1 Comparison chart showing the differences among the native species of roses in Saskatchewan.

Wild Prairie Rose Wild Woods Rose Wild Prickly Rose Rosa arkansana Rosa woodsii Rosa acicularis

Plant height (l-)2-4 dm.* (1/2-l1/2’) 5-10(-l 5) dm. (iy2-5’) 5-10(15) dm. (lViS’) Vlain stems semiherbaceous, thin, woody, persistent woody, persistent mostly dying back to through winter through winter root annually stem unbranched to little much branched much branched sranching branched

Density of dense below, dense below; fewer uniformly dense to item prickles becoming less or rarely none above summit, even on short so above lateral flowering branches Mature of straight, slender, straight to curved; straight, slender, very tern prickles weak, unequal; some slender, some unequal, not flattened; to 3 mm long stout and flattened; to 5 mm long to 5 mm long tickles not differentiated clearly differentiated not differentiated )elow pairs; often longer, tipules stouter, and flattened; straight qr curved xaflet number (7-)9-ll, crowded 5-9, crowded (3-)5-7, not crowded ,eaflet length 1-2.5 (-3) cm (1-) 1.5-2.5 (-3) cm (1.5-)2.5-5 cm xaflet base mostly acute mostly acute; obtuse or rounded sometimes obtuse .eaflet margin sharply saw-toothed coarsely to sharply coarsely and irregularly saw-toothed toothed .eaflet teeth not glandular glandular or not always glandular .eaflet not glandular sometimes glandular usually glandular urface beneath beneath beneath ,eaf stalk hairless to usually mostly fine short- fine short-hairy and nd rachis fine short-hairy; hairy; sometimes strongly glandular rarely glandular bristly or sparsely glandular tipule pair 3-9 mm (3-)4-7(-10) mm 6-12(-15) mm idth tipule non-hairy to usually usually hairy and only hairy and densely irface soft hairy, rarely sparsely glandular glandular glandular tipule smooth to sometimes only sparsely glandular- densely glandular-ciliate largins glandular-toothed ciliate if at all; and glandular-toothed usually glandular-toothed lower terminating main on short lateral on short lateral osition stem of season, or branches from branches from previous rarely on short previous year’s year’s stems lateral branches stems from previous year’s stems lower no. (2-)3-many in round- (l-)2-3(-6) mostly solitary, rarely topped cluster 2-3

eptember, 1974. 32(3) 135 Flower 3.5-6 cm 2.5-4.0 cm 4-6 cm diameter Flower stout; hairless to slender; hairless, slender; hairless, stalks loosely long-hairy rarely glandular rarely glandular or glandular Hypanthium 4-5 mm 3-5 mm 3-4.5 mm diameter in flower stage Sepal length (l-)1.5-2(-3) cm 1-1.5 cm 1.5-3 cm Sepal basal 3-5 mm 2-3.5 mm 2-4 cm width Sepal surface glandular hairless to fine glandular short-hairy, some¬ times glandular Sepal erect to spreading erect to spreading erect in fruit position in fruit in fruit forming a beak Petal length (12-) 15-25 (-28) mm (10-)15-20(-23) mm (15-)20-30(-35) mm Mature hip nearly spherical nearly spherical spherical without ne< shape to ellipsoid or pear- shaped with distinct neck Diameter of 8-15 mm 6-12(-15) mm 10-20 mm mature hip Achene length 4-5 mm 3-4 mm 4-5.5 mm Blooming time extended, late June - short, late June - short, mid-June - August mid-July mid-July Habitat open sandy prairies forests, edges of woods, forested regions and plains and prairies Reported 2n = 28 2n = 14 2n = 42 Chromosome Number2

*Metric number in parenthesis is an unusual extreme and unusual value.

stem, and stout, strongly recurved variation is not considered worthy prickles below the stipules on the taxonomic recognition. branches has been separated as variety Within the Wild Prickly Rose, t terrens (Lunnell) Breitung. A form typical variety acicularis has elongat with bristly rather than smooth “hips” ellipsoid to pear-shaped “hips” with is recognized as forma hispida (Tur¬ distinct neck below the sepals. Mo ner) Boivin. The wide range of common in Saskatchewan, however, habitats that the Wild Woods Rose oc¬ variety bourgeauiana Crepin wi curs in from forests to dry prairies nearly globose “hips” which a results apparently in considerable en¬ strongly rounded at both ends a vironmental variation within this have a less well developed neck. species. The leaf and Bower parts ap¬ pear somewhat smaller and the stem The distribution in the province prickles are fewer but often thicker on the three native Saskatchewan Roses plants of the dry prairies than on forest shown in Figure 4, based upc plants. However, this environmental specimen records in the Fraser Hd

136 Blue J; LD PRAIRIE ROSE WILD WOODS ROSE WILD PRICKLY ROSE OSA ARKANSANA ROSA WOODSII ROSA ACICULARIS ig. 3. Habit sketches of native rose species in Saskatchewan.

larium and other herbaria in the The Wild Prickly Rose is most charac¬ irovince. The resulting distribution teristic of the boreal forests of nor¬ (taps tend to distort the actual thern Saskatchewan where it often listributions somewhat, at least as far represents a dominant undershrub, s frequency is concerned; collecting especially in upland forests, but in this n the province has been highly province it also occurs in a'spen neven, having been concentrated woodlands quite far south of the round the botanical centers of boreal forest. laskatoon, Regina, and Swift Current, nd least in the whole northern half of Each of our native rose species will le province. In particular, the Wild apparently hybridize with any of the 'rickly Rose is undoubtedly much others if given the opportunity. The lore abundant and widespread in the Wild Prairie Rose appears quite orth than the distribution map in- distinct wherever it grows in the icates. The Wild Prairie Rose is province but it does hybridize, iund in prairie regions throughout especially with the Wild Woods Rose. he southern part of the province. The The Wild Woods Rose and the Wild Vild Woods Rose (or Common Wild Prickly Rose apparently hybridize lose) is characteristic of both frequently and produce numerous con¬ /oodlands and prairies primarily in fusing intermediates. For instance, in he southern half of the province the Saskatoon area, many plants of the /here it is quite abundant but also ex- Wild Woods Rose, which is the com¬ snds in reduced numbers to northern- mon woodland and prairie edge lost Saskatchewan. It occurs with the species of the region, appear in- Vild Prairie Rose on the prairies and trogressed with characters from the /ith the Wild Prickly Rose in woods. Wild Prickly Rose. Often one may

September, 1974. 32(3) 137 DISTRIBUTION IN SASKATCHEWAf

WILD PRAIRIE WILD PRICKLY ROSE ROSE ROSA ARKANSANA ROSA ACICULARIS

WILD WOODS PUTATIVE HYBRIDS ROSE ROSA WOODSII ROSA WOODSII X R. ACICULARIS

Fig. 4. Distribution of native rose species in Saskatchewan based in herbarium specimen:

even find that some parts of a shrub species revealing some of the charac will reveal the characters of the Wild ters of both throughout. The Saskat Woods Rose while other parts of the chew an distribution of putativ same plant have the characters of the hybrids between these two species i Wild Prickly Rose. Mostly, the shown in the last map of Figure 4 hybrids show various degrees of inter¬ based upon the specimens in the Frase mediacy between the two parent Herbarium and other herbaria in th

138 Blue Ja •ovince. Specimens nearest the Wild open circles on the distribution map of rickly Rose but showing some the Wild Prairie Rose. laracters of the Wild Woods Rose e indicated by open, rather than osed, circles on the distribution map 'BOIVIN, B. 1967. Flora of the Prairie Provinces. the Wild Prickly Rose. Specimens Part I Reprinted from Phytologia Vol. 15: 357- 359. rarest the Wild Woods Rose but -HITCHCOCK, C. L., A. CRONQUIST, M. lowing some characters of the Wild OWNBEY, and J. W. THOMPSON. 1961. rickly Rose are indicated by open, Vascular Plants of the Pacific Northwest. Part 3, Univ. of Washington Press, Seattle, pp. 164- ither than closed, circles on the 171. istribution map of the Wild Woods ose. Specimens of the Wild Prairie Editor's Note. These three roses are treated in ose which are somewhat similar to relation to Alberta in the September, 1973, le Wild Woods Rose are indicated by Blue Jay.

mblebee on Gaillardia Gary W. Seib

ptember, 1974. 32(3) 139