J20160428-0020—Rosa nutkana—RPBG (26155816703)

Description:

Rosa nutkana—Nootka rose. The prickliest of California roses, although not always so in other portions of its range from Alaska through the Rocky Mountains to the Colorado Plateau. In California it occurs most often in coastal marshes of Northwest California with occurrences all the way south to marshy areas of San Luis Obispo Country. The hips are a favored food of birds, deer, and bears. The large size of the flower would make it an ideal garden plant were it not for the thorns, but given the thorns, it should be used only by those wishing to create a barrier. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.