What Is the Difference Between the Prickly Rose and the Rose? A Clear Guide

The prickly rose is a common flower in daily life, and its appearance closely resembles that of the rose. Many people like to keep a pot of it at home, so what is the difference between the prickly rose and the rose?

1. What is the difference between the prickly rose and the rose?

The prickly rose and the rose can be distinguished by four points: stem, leaf, flower and fruit. Generally, the prickly rose has relatively large stem prickles, with roughly 3 to 4 grooves per node; its leaves are hairless on top and have soft hairs underneath; its flowers usually grow in clusters of 6 to 7, and the fruit it bears is nearly spherical and reddish-brown or purplish-brown. The rose has an upright or curved stem with pale yellow prickles, wrinkled leaves, flowers that are solitary or in clusters of 1 to 3, and fruit that is brick-red and flattened-spherical.

2. Is the prickly rose toxic?

Research by botanists has found that the prickly rose is a non-toxic ornamental flower, and the entire plant has not the slightest toxicity. Everyone can care for the prickly rose with peace of mind, and among the many flower lovers who grow prickly roses, no one has been heard of experiencing physical discomfort. When flower lovers care for the prickly rose, they may not pay attention to the sharp thorns on its branches, and close contact can cause fingers to be pricked, after which the wound may bleed and swell.

Overall, the prickly rose and the rose differ greatly and can be distinguished by leaves, fruit, flowers and stems. Generally, the one that blooms many flowers and bears spherical fruit is the prickly rose, while the one that blooms few flowers and bears flattened-spherical fruit is the rose.