Rosa micrantha, the small-flowered sweet briar, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae. It is native to most of Europe, the Atlas Mountains of Africa, the Caucasus region, Turkey, Lebanon, and Syria, and it has been introduced to eastern North America, Argentina, and New Zealand. A shrub reaching 3.5 m (11 ft), it is not readily available in commerce.

  • Close-up of flower
  • Flowers can be pink
  • Flowers and foliage
  • Hips
  • Hips remain after leaves abscise
  • Botanical illustration

Genetics

Unlike some other species in Rosa sect. Caninae which are pentaploid with an unusual meiosis referred to as permanent odd polyploidy, R. micrantha has been found to be hexaploid with fully sexual reproduction.