Ait.
Identity
Unique IDELEMENT_GLOBAL.2.145493
Element CodePDROS1J030
Record TypeSPECIES
ClassificationSpecies
Classification StatusStandard
Name CategoryVascular Plant
Endemicoccurs (regularly, as a native taxon) in multiple nations
KingdomPlantae
PhylumAnthophyta
ClassDicotyledoneae
OrderRosales
FamilyRosaceae
GenusRosa
Other Common NamesRosier inerme (FR) smooth rose (EN)
Concept ReferenceKartesz, J.T. 1994. A synonymized checklist of the vascular flora of the United States, Canada, and Greenland. 2nd edition. 2 vols. Timber Press, Portland, OR.
Taxonomic CommentsKartesz (1999) recognizes three varieties within Rosa blanda: var. blanda, var. glabra, and var. hispida. Kartesz (pers. comm., 1994) considered all varieties (or nonstandard species) within the Rosa blanda group to be quite questionable taxonomically. FNA (2014, vol. 9) lumps subspecific taxa.
Conservation Status
Rank Method Rank calculation - Biotics v2
Review Date2024-10-09
Change Date1984-08-29
Edition Date2024-10-09
Edition AuthorsN. Ventrella (2024)
Threat ImpactUnknown
Range Extent>2,500,000 square km (greater than 1,000,000 square miles)
Number of Occurrences> 300
Rank ReasonsRosa blanda is a perennial shrub occurring along the edges of woodlands, ditches, stream banks, thickets, grassy areas, and on flats of eastern North America, from the Northwest Territories south to Nebraska and Missouri, east to Virginia, and north to Quebec in the Unites States and Canada, and also as an introduced species in Europe. There are 700 occurrences of this taxon in its native range, which are threatened in parts of its range by hybridization with the non-native R. rugosa, and potentially threatened by development, rights-of-way maintenance, succession, and other threats in some places. Little is known about threats or trends, but with a large range extent, high number of occurrences, abundant habitat, broad habitat preferences, and no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities, Rosa blanda is considered secure.
Range Extent CommentsThe native range of Rosa blanda is in eastern North America, from the Northwest Territories south to Nebraska and Missouri, east to Virginia, and north to Quebec in the Unites States and Canada (FNA 2014, Weakley and the Southeastern Flora Team 2024). It also occurs as an introduced species in Europe (POWO 2024). The native range extent was estimated to be over 7 million square kilometers using herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data collected between 1993 and 2024 (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Occurrences CommentsBy applying a 1 km separation distance to herbarium specimens, photo-based observations, and NatureServe Network occurrence data documented between 1993 and 2024, it is estimated that there are 700 occurrences in this species' native range (GBIF 2024, iNaturalist 2024, NatureServe 2024, SEINet 2024).
Threat Impact CommentsAlong the St. Lawrence estuary in Quebec, hybrids between R. blanda and the much more aggressive non-native R. rugosa have been detected, which is a threat to the genetic integrity of this native species (FNA 2014). Additional threats are not widely documented but potentially include development, rights-of-way maintenance, succession, and other threats in some places. However, their overall impact is likely negligible given the species' broad range, large number of occurrences, tolerance of light disturbance, and affinity for typically abundant habitats, as well as no obvious intrinsic vulnerabilities.