Arching or climbing shrub to 5 m or so tall. Prickles well spaced, hooked, without bristles. Leaflets 5-7, each to 4 cm long, variable in shape, mostly hairless, marginal teeth simple or compound. Flowers in 1s or groups of 2-5, single, mostly 2-4 cm wide, white or pale pink, fragrant; summer. Styles free, protruding. Fruit to 3 cm wide, ovoid, red to orange.

NW Africa, SW Asia, Europe. Naturalised in SA, Qld, NSW and Vic. Introduced by the early settlers,mainly as a grafting stock for other roses.

Source: Adamson, S.; Bell, R.; Heathcote, R.; Hannemann, D.; Hannemann, F.; Huxley, I.; Newesteeg, J.; Spencer, R.; Sutherland, P. (2002). Rosa. In: Spencer, R.. Horticultural Flora of South-eastern Australia. Volume 3. Flowering plants. Dicotyledons. Part 2. The identification of garden and cultivated plants. University of New South Wales Press.