Rosa carolina – Native Plant Search

Native Range

A native plant refers to a species of plant that has naturally evolved and grown in a particular geographic area without any human intervention or introduction. These plants have adapted to the local climate, soil, and ecological conditions over an extended period of time, often thousands of years. Because of this co-evolution with their specific environment, native plants have developed characteristics that make them well-suited to the local ecosystem and provide essential resources for local wildlife.

Native plants play a crucial role in maintaining the ecological balance of an area. They provide food and habitat for native wildlife, support pollinators like bees and butterflies, and contribute to the overall health of the ecosystem. Additionally, native plants often require fewer resources like water and fertilizers compared to non-native or exotic plants that may not be well-suited to the local environment.

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Native Continent

Northern America

United States, Illinois, Kansas, Minnesota, Missouri, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, North Carolina, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas,

Natural Habitat

Edible Uses

Fruit - raw or cooked. Tasty but sour. The fruit can be made into syrup and jam. The fruit is about 8mm in diameter, but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards. Flowers - raw or cooked. They can be added to salads. A delicious taste. Normally it is just the petals that are eaten, the white base of the petal is removed since this often has a bitter taste. The seed is a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement. Be sure to remove the seed hairs.