About Rosa stellata Wooton
Rosa stellata Wooton is a species of rose that goes by the common names desert rose, gooseberry rose, and star rose. This rose species grows in dry rocky habitats up to an elevation of 6,500 feet (2,000 m) in Texas, particularly in the Trans-Pecos region. It can also be found growing in dry, rocky sites within the mountain canyons of Arizona and New Mexico. It is a perennial deciduous shrub that produces velvety, trifoliate leaves. Its stems and petioles bear yellowish white prickles, and it produces deep rose purple blossoms. The purple flowers bloom in summer, and the shrub typically reaches a mature height between 16 and 24 inches. Some horticulturists categorize Rosa stellata as a browse plant. In cultivation, it can be grown as a groundcover or small shrub, and grows best in partially sunny locations. It attracts native bees and bumble bees, and native bees also use this plant as a source of nesting material.
