Pygmy rose facts for kids

Rosa bridgesii is a type of rose often called the pygmy rose or Sierran dwarf rose. It grows naturally in California, especially in the forests of the Sierra Nevada mountains and nearby areas. You might also find it in Oregon. Sometimes, people consider this rose a special kind of Rosa gymnocarpa.

What Does It Look Like?

Rosa bridgesii is a small shrub that grows from underground stems called rhizomes. It can be anywhere from 10 to 80 centimeters (about 4 to 31 inches) tall. Its brown stems have pairs of sharp points called prickles.

The leaves are made up of several smaller leaflets. These leaflets are oval-shaped and have tiny hairs and glands. They also have small teeth along their edges. The leaflet at the very end of the leaf can be up to 3 centimeters long and has a flat tip.

Flowers and Fruit

The plant usually has one flower, or sometimes a cluster of up to five flowers called a cyme. Each flower has five sepals, which are like small, green leaves that protect the bud. These sepals also have glands on them.

The flowers have five pink petals, each up to 1.5 centimeters long. In the center of the flower, you'll find many stamens, which produce pollen. There are also up to 20 pistils, which are the parts that develop into seeds. After the flower blooms, it produces a fruit called a rose hip. This rose hip can be up to a centimeter wide.