Harison's Rose, Pioneer Rose: Rosa xharisonii

The photos on this page were taken along Laurel Road in Conboy National Wildlife Refuge at the southeastern edge of Mt. Adams........June 18, 2006. The site is evidently about one mile or so from Suksdorf's home at the edge of what would become Conboy NWR. Supposedly, the pioneer rose was a prized cultivar that the pioneers brought west with them as they settled this area. When transplanted, it survives pretty easily............so much so, that it can spread and become weedy where there is adequate water. It may still be seen at old homestead sites where the buildings have long since disappeared throughout the Columbia River Gorge and central Washington.

The photo above shows a close-up of the gland-tipped hairs on the outer surface of the calyx and pedicel of the pioneer rose.

The photo above shows the pinnately compound leaves of Harison's rose. The leaflets are thicker and more leathery than those of the native roses of this area.

The canes of this rose are covered with small to large, somewhat down-curved and sturdy thorns.