Smooth rose
Rosa blanda
Synonyms: Rosa blanda var. hispida, Rosa johannensis, Rosa blanda var. typica, Rosa blanda f. willmottiae, Rosa blanda f. alba, Rosa blanda var. acicularioides, Rosa blanda f. albinea, Rosa rousseauiorum, Rosa blanda var. alba, Rosa johannensis f. albinea, Rosa blanda f. angustior, Rosa blanda carpohispida, Rosa subblanda, Rosa williamsii, Rosa gemella, Rosa fraxinifolia var. blanda, Rosa cinnamomea subsp. blanda, Rosa cinnamomea var. gemella, Rosa rousseauiorum f. chrysocarpa, Rosa blanda glandulosa, Rosa rousseauiorum var. chrysocarpa, Rosa turgida, Rosa blanda f. carpohispida, Rosa blanda var. hermannii, Rosa blanda var. glabra, Rosa blanda var. sublaevis, Rosa dasistema, Rosa blanda subgeminata, Rosa blanda var. setigera, Rosa palustris var. dasistema, Rosa blanda var. pubescens, Rosa blanda nuda, Rosa fraxinea
Western Herbalism Properties
Gallery
Botanical Description
Rosa blanda, commonly known as smooth rose or meadow rose, is a deciduous shrub of the Rosaceae family native to central and eastern North America. It typically grows 0.5 to 1.5 m tall, forming loose colonies from creeping rhizomes. The stems are notably smooth, with prickles few or absent on flowering shoots, distinguishing it from many congeners. Leaves are pinnately compound with 5 to 7 elliptic to obovate leaflets having serrate margins and a pale, often pubescent underside; stipules are conspicuous and adnate to the petiole. Solitary or few-flowered cymes bear pink, fragrant five-petalled flowers 4 to 6 cm across with numerous yellow stamens, blooming in late spring to early summer. The fruit is a globose to slightly pyriform red hip persisting into winter. It inhabits prairies, woodland margins, riverbanks and rocky slopes.
Cultural & Historical Context
Traditional American Uses
The Meskwaki used a decoction of the fruit for itching piles and other itches, and employed rose hip skin and fruit decoctions for stomach troubles and hemorrhoids (Smith, 1928). The Ojibwa took dried, powdered flowers for heartburn and used rose hip skin for stomach trouble and indigestion (Smith, 1932); the southern Ojibwa applied an infusion of root as a wash for inflamed eyes (Hoffman, 1891). The Potawatomi drank an infusion of the root for headache and lumbago and used rose hip skin as a general medicine (Smith, 1933).
Chemistry & External Identifiers
Important Disclaimer
This information is for educational purposes only and is not intended to replace professional medical advice. Always consult a qualified healthcare provider before using any herbal remedy, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, or taking medications.