Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima
Mojave rose, Mojave Rose
(c) Don Loarie, some rights reserved (CC BY), uploaded by Don Loarie · licence
Family: Rosaceae · Type: Shrub · Native
Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima (Mojave rose) is a native California shrub in the Rosaceae family.
Mojave rose is a California native shrub found in desert regions at elevations where pinyon-juniper woodlands transition to arid landscapes. Flowering from May to June, this plant produces delicate pink to light rose-colored flowers that emerge singly or in small clusters of 1 to 3 blooms. Growing with densely branched stems up to 1 to 2 meters tall, it is characterized by numerous prickles that are 2 to 10 millimeters long, often with thick bases and frequently present throughout its branching structure. Its leaves are compound with multiple leaflets, typical of rose species, providing a textural green backdrop to its soft floral display. The plant produces ovoid to spheric fruits that develop after flowering, contributing to its robust desert adaptations.
Habitat and range
California counties: San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, Fresno, Ventura, Mono, Tulare, Tuolumne, Madera
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 woodsii subsp. gratissima native to California?
Yes. Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima is native to California (recorded as native).
Where in California does Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima grow?
Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima occurs in San Bernardino, Los Angeles, Inyo, Kern, Fresno, Ventura, Mono, Tulare and other counties.
What plant family does Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima belong to?
Rosa woodsii subsp. gratissima is in the Rosaceae family, genus Rosa.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · Index of California Plant Names · 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.