Sweet Briar
Rosa rubiginosa
Origin. Eurasia.
Distribution in Canberra Region. Widespread in woodlands, pastures, cleared land, pine planatations and open forest.
Dispersal. Water, birds, animals.
General Description and Biology
A shrub that becomes woody with age.
Develops multiple relatively thin branches, up to 2-3 m. high, 2-3 cm diameter.
The stems are profusely covered with relatively small and soft thorns.
Leaves dark green and waxy above; pale below.
Flowers pink.
Fruits (called �hips�) are oval, about 2 x 1cm: initially green then yellow and finally bright orange.
The plant spreads as much by implantation of branch-tips, as by growth of seeds.
It can profusely invade both woodland and grassland.