Shrub mostly 2-3 m tall with reddish stems. Prickles scattered, large, broad, with bristles towards the base of stems. Leaflets 7-13, to 4 cm long, elliptic to ovate, hairless above, waxy and sometimes hairy on midrib below, teeth simple. Flowers 1 or few, single, pink to deep red; summer. Fruit narrowed towards the tip, orange-red, bristly at least at the base.

R. × highdownensis Hillier is a hybrid of red to deep pink flowers.

W China.

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.