Rosa pinetorum
Pine rose
no rights reserved, uploaded by Irene · CC0
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Subshrub · Native
Conservation status: CNPS 1B.2
Rosa pinetorum (Pine rose) is a native California subshrub in the Rosaceae family, recognized by . Key features: low elevation pine woodland habitat, dwarf rhizomatous habit.
Pine rose is a rare (CNPS 1B.2) California native shrub found in western central Coast Ranges in pine woodland at elevations generally below 300 meters. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces pink flowers about 15 to 20 millimeters wide with delicate petals. Growing as a dwarf shrub less than 1 meter tall, it spreads through open rhizomes and features numerous prickles that are 3 to 10 millimeters long. Its compound leaves have 5 to 7 leaflets, with terminal leaflets 10 to 30 millimeters long, elliptic in shape and featuring single or double-toothed margins. The fruit is spherical, approximately 12 millimeters wide, with persistent erect sepals and small achenes 3 to 4 millimeters long.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: Geographically isolated. Key features: low elevation pine woodland habitat, dwarf rhizomatous habit.
Habitat and range
Habitat: Pine woodland
Elevation: generally < 300 m
Bloom period
Rosa pinetorum blooms May-Jun.
Conservation status
CNPS 1B.2
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 pinetorum native to California?
Yes. Rosa pinetorum is native to California (recorded as native).
When does Rosa pinetorum bloom?
Rosa pinetorum blooms May-Jun.
What plant family does Rosa pinetorum belong to?
Rosa pinetorum is in the Rosaceae family, genus Rosa.
Is Rosa pinetorum rare or endangered?
Rosa pinetorum carries California Rare Plant Rank 1B.2, state rank S1.
What habitat does Rosa pinetorum grow in?
Rosa pinetorum grows in Pine woodland.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos · CDFW CNDDB
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.