Rosa persica
A desert rose with a dark-centered flower from Iran to western Siberia
Rosa persica is a wild rose native to the deserts and steppes from Iran and Afghanistan through Central Asia to western Siberia. It stands out for its simple leaves and flowers marked by a dark central zone. Though it grows as a weed in fields, it is rarely cultivated and is difficult to grow in gardens.
- Native to deserts from Iran to western Siberia
- Yellow flowers with a dark maroon center
- Leaves are simple, not divided like most roses
- Rarely grown in gardens due to cultivation difficulty
- Collected for fuel in Iranian fields after harvest
What does Rosa persica look like?
Rosa persica is a wild rose with a striking flower: its petals are usually yellow with a darker, maroon-colored zone at the center. Unlike most roses, its leaves are simple and lack stipules, making it easy to tell apart from other species. The plant is deep-rooted and grows as a low shrub, often spreading by suckers. In its natural range, it appears as a weed in open fields and steppes.
Where does Rosa persica come from?
This rose is native to dry regions stretching from Iran and Afghanistan, across Central Asia, and up to western Siberia. It was once placed in its own genus, Hulthemia, because of its unusual leaf and flower structure. In the wild, it is found in arid soils and is adapted to harsh, dry climates. Locals in Iran collect it from fields after the grain harvest, mainly for use as fuel.
When and how Rosa persica blooms
Rosa persica blooms in spring. It grows best in dry, open areas with sandy or steppe soils. The plant spreads by suckering, sending up new shoots from its roots. It is not commonly grown in gardens because it is difficult to cultivate outside its native habitat. Most plants are found growing wild rather than being raised from seed or cuttings.
How Rosa persica is used
In its native regions, Rosa persica is not widely cultivated for ornamental use. Instead, it is often collected from the wild, especially after harvests, and used as fuel. Its hybrids, such as 'Alissar, Princess of Phoenicia', have been developed for garden use, but the wild species itself remains rare in cultivation.
Kinds of Rosa persica
Rosa berberifolia is sometimes treated as a variety of Rosa persica. Hybrids between Rosa persica and other roses have been created, previously called ×Hulthemosa. Notable cultivars include 'Alissar, Princess of Phoenicia' and the Eyeconics series, which feature the distinctive dark eye in the center of the flower.
What Rosa persica means
Rosa persica is mainly valued by botanists and plant breeders for its unique flower form and color pattern. It is not a national emblem or widely used in cultural traditions. Its ability to hybridize has influenced modern rose breeding, especially for roses with a dark central eye.
Questions people ask about Rosa persica
Where does Rosa persica come from?
Rosa persica is native to deserts and steppes stretching from Iran and Afghanistan through Central Asia to western Siberia. It grows wild in these dry regions.
What does Rosa persica look like?
It has yellow flowers with a distinctive dark maroon center and simple, undivided leaves. The plant grows as a low shrub and spreads by suckering.
Is Rosa persica grown in gardens?
It is rarely cultivated in gardens because it is difficult to grow outside its native habitat. Most plants are found wild, though some hybrids have been bred for garden use.
What is Rosa persica used for?
In Iran, it is collected from fields after the grain harvest and used as fuel. It is not widely used for ornamental purposes, but its hybrids are grown in gardens.
Are there any notable hybrids of Rosa persica?
Yes, hybrids such as 'Alissar, Princess of Phoenicia' and the Eyeconics series have been developed, featuring the dark central eye characteristic of R. persica.
Good reading and sources
- Rosa persica | barberry-leaved roseRoyal Horticultural Society, Article
- Plants of the World OnlineRoyal Botanic Gardens, Kew, Plant database
- Where it has been recordedGBIF, Plant database
- Sightings and photos by naturalistsiNaturalist, Plant database
The facts on this page come from the Wikipedia article "Rosa persica", written by its contributors and used under the CC BY-SA 4.0 licence, and from its Wikidata record (CC0). Phool rewrote the text in its own words, with AI assistance, and compares every page with the article to make sure no passage is copied. It may be reused under the same CC BY-SA 4.0 licence with a link back.
It may contain mistakes. It is not medical or foraging advice: many flowers are poisonous, and traditional uses are reported, not recommended. If something is wrong, tell us. Last refreshed 2026-10-03.
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