Flower profile

Baldhip rose

Rosa gymnocarpa

Baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa) is a low shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly April–June across the U.S.

Native to Washington

Baldhip rose is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Washington it's most often seen in bloom in May–June.

5states where USDA records it

2,667WA sightings*

7,035U.S. sightings*

*iNaturalist research-grade observations, as of October 17, 2026.

On our lists for: Washington

Quick look

Rosa gymnocarpa is a species of rose native to western North America. It is known by the common names dwarf rose, baldhip rose, and wood rose. It grows in shady, damp, and rich forests.
From Wikipedia's article Rosa gymnocarpa, CC BY-SA 4.0.

It belongs to the Rosaceae family. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS describes it as a subshrub with a perennial life cycle. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists it as native in the lower 48 states and records it in 5 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Washington. ^NatureServe
In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–June. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as purple. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 3 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 2,667 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #73 among the 187 flowers on our Washington list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Washington, most flowering sightings come in May–June.

Flowering records by month in Washington (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (201 records)

Conservation status

Federal (U.S. ESA): Not listed No U.S. Endangered Species Act listing in the USFWS ECOS database. ^{USFWS ECOS}
NatureServe global: G5 Secure worldwide. ^NatureServe
Washington: No list Washington has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants (the Washington Natural Heritage Program's rare plant list isn't regulatory), so we show NatureServe's Washington ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Washington.
Rare elsewhere: No other U.S. state ranks it S1, S2, SH or SX.

Checked October 17, 2026. Rankings and lists can change, so follow the links for the latest.

Can you eat it?

For peopleNot well documented

None of the sources we checked (NC State Extension (no page for this plant), USDA PLANTS) say whether it's edible or poisonous for people.

For petsNon-toxic to dogs, cats and horses

ASPCA's entry “Rose” (Rosa Species), which covers the whole genus, lists it as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses. Eating lots of any plant can still upset a pet's stomach. ^ASPCA

🌿 Never eat a wild plant unless you're certain of its ID; this isn't medical advice. Worried about a person? Call Poison Control at 1-800-222-1222. Worried about a pet? Call your vet.

Where does it grow?

USDA PLANTS records baldhip rose in 5 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

California, Idaho, Montana, Oregon, Washington.

Washington counties with USDA records: Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Ferry, Grays Harbor, Island, Jefferson, King, Kitsap, Kittitas, Klickitat, Lewis, Mason, Okanogan, Pacific, Pend Oreille, Pierce, San Juan, Skagit, Skamania, Snohomish, Spokane, Stevens, Thurston, Wahkiakum, Walla Walla, Whatcom, Whitman, Yakima.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Baldhip rose a low shade tolerance, medium drought tolerance and medium moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.0 to 7.8 and winter lows down to -18 °F.

Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Medium
Moisture use: Medium
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium
Soil pH range: 6.0 to 7.8
Minimum temperature tolerated: -18 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 140
Annual precipitation range: 12 to 24 inches
Minimum root depth: 14 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Medium
Growth rate: Moderate
Lifespan: Long
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Red · Summer to Fall
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: Contracting Only

From the USDA PLANTS characteristics data for ROGY. USDA ratings are general guidance for the species, not a guarantee for your garden.

Names, range and relatives

Native status by region (USDA PLANTS): Canada: Native; Lower 48 states: Native.

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 113 counties across 5 states; the most are in California (33), Washington (32), Oregon (31).

Other Rosa on Bloomipedia (10): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Rugosa rose, California wild rose, Woods' rose, Climbing prairie rose, Nootka rose, Prickly wild rose, Prairie rose, Three-leaved rose.

More from the Rosaceae family (103 on Bloomipedia; most observed first): Mock strawberry, Black cherry, Toyon, Thimbleberry, Wineberry, Black raspberry, Trailing blackberry, Salmonberry.

More Washington flowers

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: March–May

Thimbleberry

Rubus parviflorus

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: May–July

Osoberry

Oemleria cerasiformis

Native

🌼 Blooms in WA: February–April

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile ROGY.
iNaturalist, Rosa gymnocarpa: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rosa gymnocarpa (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Washington: Washington State noxious weed list (WAC 16-750-005, -011, -015).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rosa gymnocarpa (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: James H. Thomas via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.