What Is a Nootka Rose?
The Nootka rose is a wild variety of rose native to the western United States and Canada. It is a member of the rosaceae family of flowering plants. The scientific name is Rosa nutkana. Unlike complex multi-petal hybrid roses, the flowers of the Nootka rose are a simple arrangement of five petals. The stalks are thorny and grow into tangled thickets that spread aggressively when left untended. The fruits have many uses as food and medicine. The native range of the Nootka rose extends from Alaska through British Columbia into Washington state, Oregon and northern California. To the east, the native range extends into Utah and Colorado. The flower is named for its place of first discovery, Nootka Sound on the west coast of Vancouver Island, British Columbia. This wild rose grows in meadows, open woodlands, and mountainous regions at moderate elevation.
