W. North America (PNW native)
"Baldhip rose fruits remain on the plant throughout the winter, and are eaten by small mammals, birds and insects. Rosa species are important browse for Rocky Mountain elk in summer, but the use is lower in fall and winter. White-tailed and mule deer browse baldhip rose, especially in burned areas... The primary insect pollinators of roses are pollen-gathering bees. The open-faced flowers of native roses are more attractive to pollinators than ornamental varieties with double flowers." [1]
<h2>Equity: Cultural and Historical Significance</h2>
<p>"Baldhip rose was used for a variety of purposes by native people in the Pacific Northwest. The Okanagan-Colville and Thompson used the stems and branches to construct baby carriers and arrows. They made a decoction of the branches and leaves for a body and hair wash in sweat baths, as a wash for sore eyes, to soak fishing lines and nets for good luck, for hunters to remove human scent, and as a tea for protection from bad spirits, for general disposition, and a tonic. They also used a poultice of chewed leaves for treating bee stings, and smoked dried leaves with leaves from other plants. The rose hips were a minor source of food, and children played with them as beads. Interior Salish people also used dwarf rose for similar purposes." [1]</p>
"Hips of all wild roses are high in vitamin C and are made into jams, jellies, syrups and teas." [1]
[1] Pavek, P.L.S. and D.M. Skinner. 2013. Plant guide for baldhip rose (Rosa gymnocarpa Nutt.). USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service, Pullman, WA. Retrieved from https://plants.usda.gov/plantguide/pdf/pg_rogy.pdf