Common Name: Macartney Rose

General Information

Rosa bracteata is a very prickly, evergreen shrub with rambling stems that climb into the surrounding vgetation, attaching themselve by means of their prickles. It can grow from 0.5 - 6 metres tall. The plant can form dense, impenetrable thickets[, , , ].
The plant is harvested from the wild for use in commercial cosmetic preparations. It is grown as an ornamental, where its rich evergreen foliage and large flowers make it one of the most striking of all the wild types of rose[].
Rosa bracteata was introduced to Europe in 1795, and later to the United States, where it became widely naturalized and invasive in parts of the southeast, and also in the West Indies[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

Range

E. Asia - southeast China, southern Japan (Ryukyu Islands)

Habitat

Mixed forests, scrub, sandy hills, stream sides, sea shores, roadsides; at elevations from sea level to 300 metres[].

Properties

Weed Potential	Yes
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Climber
Height	3.00 m
Pollinators	Bees
Cultivation Status	Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Rosa bracteata is a distinct and remarkable rose that is, unfortunately, not very hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone[]. It can tolerate short periods with temperatures down to around -10 to -15°c[].
Most Rosa species require a sunny position if they are to flourish and flower well. They prefer a circumneutral pH, succeeding in a range of soil texturess so long as they are moist but well-drained[, ].
Rose species will often hybridize freely with other members of the genus[].
Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[].

Edible Uses

We have no specific information regarding the edibility of this species, but the fruits (more correctly the hips) of all rose species are edible, thogh often rather less than desireable. The best forms develop a sweet, soft flesh that is very rich in vitamins and minerals, though in many species the fruits remain hard and dry. Some care has to be taken when eating the fruit, see the notes above on known hazards.
The globose, orange-red fruit of this species is about 35mm in diameter[].

The seed of roses is generally a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement[, ]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[].

Medicinal

None known

Agroforestry Uses:

Rose species in general grow well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[, ]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[, ]. Roses often grow badly with boxwood[].

Other Uses

An extract of the whole plant is used as an ingredient in commercial cosmetic preparations as a humectant and skin conditioner[].

Propagation

Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[]. One possible way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[]. It may take 2 years to germinate[]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring.
Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[]. High percentage[].
Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[, ]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[].
Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions.
Layering. Takes 12 months[].