User:Gobearsbearsbears/Rosa californica

Description
Rosa californica is a thorny, flowering, fruit-bearing shrub from California. The plant is drought-resistant and deciduous, and grows vertically up to six feet tall. The meaning of its name is twofold; Rosa, that it resembles or is composed of roses, and californica, that it originates from California. Rosa californica has five smooth petals and sepals with a bowl-like bloom, semi-inferior ovaries, and compound veiny and hairy leaves. R. californica also bears fruit called "hips."

Distribution, habitat, and adaptations
Rosa californica is a common plant native to California. It is primarily found in elevations of below 6,000 feet. While most common in moist regions like river banks, the plant can also adapt to various soil textures, develop drought resistance, and has common-pest and disease resistance.

Competition
Rosa californica competes with other vegetation in moist environments because of its lateral spreading rhizomes (horizontally-spreading underground roots) and above-ground, thorny stems. Moreover, the wildroses' stems and shoots can be cut, but will regrow from submerged rhizomes. Thus, R. californica may develop thickets and overwhelm "desirable vegetation" under improper management. However, it does not pose a foreseeable environmental concern.

Propagation
Hard, dry internal seeds can be extracted by hand from mature, bright red hips. The wildrose can also be propagated with stem or rhizome cuttings.

Uses
Rosa californica is readily acclimated. Its natural propagation helps restore damp areas. Subterranean stems stabilize the surrounding earth. Thorny thickets offer ground cover, shelter, and even nests for organisms.

R. californica 's open flowers and nectar attract insects and pollinators. Its lengthened spring to fall blooming period offers food for local bees. R. californica's fruits also persist on thickets through the forage-scarce winter, serving as food for bugs, birds, and hoofed mammals like deer and elk.

The wildroses' hips are related to the Rosaceae family's apricots, apples, and roses. They are fragrant, edible, and look and taste like "small apples." Some indigenous California tribes eat R. californica's hips raw and use the stems and fibers for crafts like coiled baskets, jewelry, and decoration. Other tribes leverage the roses' medicinal properties. They used a mix of rose petals, leaves, and/or rose "hips" in drinks or as medicine to relieve skin and general inflammation, pain, and illness (including fever, stomach pains, and sores).