Rosa sericea is a species of Rosa native to southwestern China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), Bhutan, northern India (Sikkim), and Myanmar; it grows in mountains at altitudes of 2,000-4,400 m.

It is a shrub growing to 2 m tall, often very spiny. The leaves are deciduous, 4-8 cm long, with 7-11 leaflets with a serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5-5 cm diameter, white, with (unusually for a rose) only four petals. The hips are red, 8-15 mm diameter, with persistent sepals, and often bristly.

There are four formae:

• Rosa sericea f. sericea.
• Rosa sericea f. glandulosa T.T.Yü & T.C.Ku.
• Rosa sericea f. glabrescens Franchet.
• Rosa sericea f. pteracantha Franchet.

The closely related Rosa omeiensis is sometimes treated as a subspecies of R. sericea.

Cultivation and uses

References

• Flora of China: Rosa sericea