Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana
Nootka rose, Nootka Rose
Photo: parent species Rosa nutkana · (c) Steph Cárdenas, some rights reserved (CC BY) · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana (Nootka rose) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Key features: large straight prickles, large flowers and fruits, densely branched, glandular leaflets.
Nootka rose is a California native shrub found in northern coastal and central coastal regions in generally moist flats at elevations below 700 meters. Flowering from April to July, this plant produces pink flowers with delicate, soft petals clustered in small groups. Growing as a densely branched shrub with multiple stems reaching up to 2 to 3 meters tall, it features numerous sharp prickles along its branches. Its compound leaves have leaflets with glandular undersides and distinctively double-toothed margins, giving the foliage a textured and intricate appearance. The plant forms dense thickets in coastal and near-coastal habitats, providing important cover for wildlife.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 11 sympatric species. Key features: large straight prickles, large flowers and fruits, densely branched, glandular leaflets.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Generally +- moist flats
Elevation: < 700 m
Outside California: coastal to Alaska
Bloom period
Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana blooms Apr-Jul.
How to tell it apart
vs Camellia: Rosa has compound leaves with multiple leaflets; Camellia has single undivided glossy leaves.; vs Carpenteria: Rosa has thorny stems and compound leaves; Carpenteria is thornless with simple opposite leaves.; vs Hibiscus: Rosa has compound leaves and thorny stems; Hibiscus has simple palmate leaves, thornless.; vs Dahlia: Rosa is woody with thorns; Dahlia is herbaceous without thorns.; vs Cistus: Rosa has compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets; Cistus has simple undivided leaves.
Frequently asked questions
Is Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana native to California?
Yes. Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana bloom?
Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana blooms Apr-Jul.
What plant family does Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana belong to?
Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana is in the Rosaceae family, genus Rosa.
What habitat does Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana grow in?
Rosa nutkana subsp. nutkana grows in Generally +- moist flats.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-09-30
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.