Flower profile

Prickly wild rose

Rosa acicularis

Prickly wild rose (Rosa acicularis) is a low shrub in the Rosaceae family, native in the lower 48 states, blooming mostly June–July across the U.S.

Native to Alaska

Prickly wild rose is a flowering plant that USDA PLANTS lists as native in the lower 48 states. In Alaska it's most often seen in bloom in June–July.

22states where USDA records it

2,124AK sightings*

2,647U.S. sightings*

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

On our lists for: Alaska

Quick look

Rosa acicularis is a flowering plant in the Rosaceae family. It is commonly known as the prickly wild rose, prickly rose, bristly rose, wild rose or Arctic rose. It is a species of wild rose with a Holarctic distribution in northern regions of Asia, Europe, and North America.
From Wikipedia's article Rosa acicularis, 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 22 states. ^{USDA PLANTS}
NatureServe lists it as native to Alaska. ^NatureServe
In Alaska, most iNaturalist sightings of it in flower come in June–July. ^iNaturalist
USDA PLANTS lists its flower color as red. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS gives its bloom period as early summer. ^{USDA PLANTS}
USDA PLANTS lists a mature height of about 4 ft. ^{USDA PLANTS}
iNaturalist has 2,124 research-grade sightings of it in Alaska, ranking #11 among the 121 flowers on our Alaska list. ^iNaturalist

When does it bloom?

In Alaska, most flowering sightings come in June–July.

Flowering records by month in Alaska (iNaturalist research-grade observations marked “Flowering”) (58 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
Alaska: No list Alaska has no state law listing endangered or threatened plants, so we show NatureServe's Alaska ranks instead. NatureServe: SNR, not yet ranked in Alaska.
Rare elsewhere: Other states where NatureServe ranks it rare or missing: IA (S2), IL (SH), VT (S1), WV (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 prickly wild rose in 22 states.

AKMEVTNHWAIDMTNDMNILWIMINYRIMAORNVWYSDIAINOHPANJCTCAUTCONEMOKYWVVAMDDEAZNMKSARTNNCSCDCOKLAMSALGAHITXFL

recorded by USDA PLANTS on our state lists not recorded

See the full list of states

Alaska, Colorado, Connecticut, Idaho, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, Maine, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Montana, New Hampshire, New Mexico, New York, North Dakota, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Vermont, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

Alaska counties with USDA records: Anchorage, Bethel, Chugach, Copper River, Denali, Dillingham, Fairbanks North Star, Haines, Kenai Peninsula, Lake and Peninsula, Matanuska-Susitna, Nome, North Slope, Northwest Arctic, Southeast Fairbanks, Yukon-Koyukuk.

Growing conditions

USDA PLANTS gives Prickly wild rose a low shade tolerance, low drought tolerance and high moisture use. It is rated for soil pH 6.8 to 7.5 and winter lows down to -38 °F.

Shade tolerance: Low
Drought tolerance: Low
Moisture use: High
Soil textures it is adapted to: medium, fine
Soil pH range: 6.8 to 7.5
Minimum temperature tolerated: -38 °F
Frost-free days needed (minimum): 200
Annual precipitation range: 15 to 60 inches
Minimum root depth: 6 inches
Salinity tolerance: None
Fertility requirement: Low
Growth rate: Rapid
Lifespan: Moderate
Active growth period: Spring and Summer
Fruit or seed: Red · Spring to Fall
Can be propagated by: bare root, container, cuttings, seed
Commercial availability: Contracting Only

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

Names, range and relatives

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

County records: USDA PLANTS lists it in 170 counties across 19 states; the most are in Michigan (28), Colorado (21), Minnesota (21).

Other Rosa on Bloomipedia (10): Roses (genus Rosa), Multiflora rose, Rugosa rose, California wild rose, Baldhip rose, Woods' rose, Climbing prairie rose, Nootka 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 Alaska flowers

Salmonberry

Rubus spectabilis

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: April–June

Roses (genus Rosa)

Rosa

★ NY state flower🌷 Garden flower

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–July

Shrubby cinquefoil

Dasiphora fruticosa

Native

🌼 Blooms in AK: June–August

Sources

USDA, NRCS. PLANTS Database, profile ROAC.
iNaturalist, Rosa acicularis: taxonomy, research-grade observation counts and “Flowering” annotations, retrieved October 17, 2026.
Wikipedia, Rosa acicularis (lead quoted under CC BY-SA 4.0).
Alaska: Alaska prohibited and restricted noxious weeds (11 AAC 34.020).
USFWS, ECOS species database (ESA listing check), October 17, 2026.
NatureServe Explorer, Rosa acicularis (global and state ranks).
Edibility and toxicity: ASPCA.
Photo: Emily Turteltaub Nelson via iNaturalist · CC BY 4.0 · resized.