Bloomipedia
Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana)
Photo: John Brew via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized

Flower profile

Nootka rose

Rosa nutkana

Native to Washington

Nootka 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–July.

11states
2,001WA sightings*
3,374U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Washington

Quick look

Rosa nutkana, the Nootka rose, bristly rose, or wild rose is a 0.6–3.0-metre-tall (2–10-foot) perennial shrub in the rose family (Rosaceae).

  • 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 11 states. USDA PLANTS
  • NatureServe lists it as native to Washington. NatureServe
  • In Washington, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in May–July. iNaturalist
  • USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as late spring. USDA PLANTS
  • USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 10 ft. USDA PLANTS
  • iNaturalist has 2,001 research-grade sightings of it in Washington, ranking #94 among the 110 flowers on our Washington list. iNaturalist

Nootka rose gift ideas

Handmade nootka rose gifts from independent makers.

🌱 Sample spot. Handmade gift picks from independent shops will appear here once our shop partnership is approved. These cards are placeholders, not real products.

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    Nootka rose art print

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    Nootka rose mug

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    Nootka rose earrings

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    Nootka rose embroidery pattern

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    Nootka rose sticker

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When does it bloom?

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

Flowering records by month in Washington (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (273 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
Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: NV (S1). (S1 critically imperiled, S2 imperiled, SH possibly extirpated, SX presumed extirpated.)

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 nootka rose in 11 states.

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming.

Washington counties with USDA records: Asotin, Chelan, Clallam, Clark, Columbia, Cowlitz, Douglas, Ferry, Garfield, 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.

More Washington flowers

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Trailing blackberry (Rubus ursinus)

Trailing blackberry

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Sources