Range

Western North America

Ecology

"Nootka rose is important wildlife browse. Mule deer, white-tailed deer, elk, moose, caribou, bighorn sheep, bears, coyotes, and various rodents eat the fruits. Squirrels, mice, beavers, and porcupines eat the twigs and leaves.

Nootka rose fruits are preferred by deer, elk, and squirrels.

Nootka rose thickets are used for nesting and escape cover by birds and small mammals. Nootka rose provides good cover for waterfowl in Wyoming.

Nootka rose has successfully been used for rehabilitating disturbed sites at Columbia River Gorge, Oregon." [1]

"Roses produce small amounts of nectar, so the primary insect pollinators of roses are bees gathering pollen. The open-faced flowers of native roses are more attractive to pollinators than non-native cultivars with double flowers. Nootka rose fruits (hips) 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. Deer also browse leaves and young shoots." [2]

Equity: Cultural and Historical Significance

"Nootka rose is an attractive shrub that can be incorporated into landscaped areas. It should be planted where its spread by rhizomes and suckers will not be a problem...

Native Americans throughout the Pacific Northwest and Rocky Mountain region used Nootka rose as food, medicine, and for ceremonial purposes. Hips of all wild roses are high in vitamin C and are made into jams, jellies, syrups and teas." [2]

Economics

"Nootka rose produces extensive rhizomes and grows rapidly, making it an ideal plant for revegetation projects. It is used to control soil erosion on hillsides, road cuts and streambanks." [2]