Wild Rose

Traditional Cree name: okinîwâhtik

Latin name: Rosa acicularis

Common names: rose, Alberta rose, prairie rose, prickly rose

Family: Rosaceae

Kingdom: Plantae

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Oki, Âba wathtech, Dānít’ádā, Tansi, Hello

Ahhh I hope you caught a whiff of that sweet scent, it’s me Wild Rose! 

In the spring as you walk along the river pathway you just might catch that potent and sweet scent of my flowers, much stronger than the roses you buy in the flower shop! But my bright pink petals grow on very thorny branches so beware. 

Alberta’s official flower (since 1930), you can find me along the banks and pathways of the Bow River, but you can also find me in other spots all over Alberta, even in the Mountains. I grow so well here that I make a nice accompaniment to your garden space, but I do like to spread out. 

My pink spring flowers give way to reddish sour rosehips, a favourite food for many birds, deer, moose an even bears. Traditionally I have been used for medicines, and my seeds are used to make jewelry. 

I smell so good, and isn’t that just medicine on to itself

It’s good to meet you 

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