Rosaceae, the rose family, includes about 3,100 species and 107 genera worldwide, and includes many other type of plants than roses alone. It also houses many of the fruits that the world loves to eat, and some of the prettiest flowers. They vary from the simple strawberry flower to the complex roses. The flowers are radially symmetrical, typically with 5 sepals united at the base, 5 petals arising from the top of a cup- or saucer-like structure, numerous stamens in several whorls, and 1 compound or several simple ovaries. The fruits are achenes (small seeds), pomes (eg. apples), drupes (eg. cherries) or aggregations of drupelets (raspberries). Rosaceae plants grow as trees, shrubs and perennial herbs. They also occur as climbing plants, like vines, but are often self sufficient, needing no host to cling to and climb up. Thorns often are seen on these types of plants. They aid in defense and also as a clasping technique. Rosaceae leaves are usually simple and alternate, with some exceptions. When compound, the leaflets are opposite. Stipules, leaflike appendages at the base of the leafstalk, are often found, with exception of the genus Spiraea.
Guide to Identify Presented Species of the Rose Family
HERBS WITH BUTTERCUP-LIKE FLOWERS, YELLOW OR CREAM
Geum – Avens Stems 10-70 cm tall, spreading-stiff-hairy. Moist woods to alpine slopes.
Flowers yellow, 15-20 mm wide, with 5 rounded petals. Sepals bent back.
Leaves pinnately divided into several main leaflets.
Potentilla – Cinquefoil Plants low to medium height. Mostly in open areas, plains to high mountains.
Flowers mostly yellow, with 5 broad petals. Fruits numerous small achenes.
Leaves basal and alternate, pinnately to palmately divided, with stipules.
LOW HERBS WITH STRAWBERRIES OR RASPBERRIES, WHITE FLOWERS
Fragaria – Wild Strawberry Low plants with creeping stems. Woods, stream banks, sandy meadows.
Flowers few to several, white, regular. Petals 5, white, broad, 6-13 mm long.
Leaves long-stalked, divided into 3 wedge-shaped, sharply toothed leaflets.
Rubus – Raspberry Stems smooth or prickly, trailing or erect. In moist woods to rocky areas.
Flowers white, often showy, with 5 petals, single from nodes or in clusters.
Leaves lobed or divided into 3-5 leaflets, double-toothed, often hairy beneath.
HERBS WITH PURPLE FLOWERS
Geum – Avens Stems 10-70 cm tall, spreading-stiff-hairy. Moist woods to alpine slopes.
Flowers yellow, 15-20 mm wide, with 5 rounded petals. Sepals bent back.
Leaves pinnately divided into several main leaflets.
SHRUBS OR TREES WITH FLESHY, BERRY-LIKE FRUITS
Amelanchier alnifolia – Saskatoon Serviceberry Shrub 1-5 m. tall with round, purple-black fruits, 10-14 mm long. Open woods.
Flowers white, 2-3 cm wide, with 5 oblong petals and usually 5 styles.
Leaves alternate, oval to nearly round, 2-4 cm long, sharply small-toothed.
Prunus – Plum or Cherry Shrub or small tree 1-4 m. tall. Fruits are cherries, red to purple or black.
Flowers white, 10-12 mm wide, in dense, elongated clusters. Petals 5, round.
Leaves alternate, elliptic, finely sharp-toothed, 4-10 cm long, pointed at tips.
Rubus – Raspberry Stems smooth or prickly, trailing or erect. In moist woods to rocky areas.
Flowers white, often showy, with 5 petals, single from nodes or in clusters.
Leaves lobed or divided into 3-5 leaflets, double-toothed, often hairy beneath.
SHRUBS OR PART SHRUBS WITHOUT BERRIES
Pentaphylloides floribunda – Shrubby Cinquefoil Spreading shrub with wooden stems. Rocky areas, plains-subalpine.
Flowers yellow, regular, clustered on branches. Petals 5, round, 8-13 mm long.
Leaves small, crowded on stems, divided into 5-7 narrow segments.
Physocarpus malvaceus – Mallow Ninebark Shrub 50-100 cm tall. Fruits are follicles, in pairs, reddish, about 5 mm long.
Flowers in dense, round clusters, white, about 10 mm wide, with 5 round petals.
Leaves alternate, 2-6 cm long, ovate to heart-shaped, with 3-5 toothed lobes.
Spiraea – Spiraea Spreading shrubs, 25-100 cm tall. Open or wooded sites, foothills-subalpine.
Flowers white or pinkish, about 5 mm wide, in dense, rounded clusters.
Leaves alternate, 2-7 cm long, oval, coarse-toothed toward tip.
Alphabetical listing with links to presented species of the Rose family:
