Burnet Rose
Rosa spinosissima
Tap image to enlarge · Wikimedia Commons
Overview
The Burnet Rose is a small, densely spiny shrub that grows on the dune grassland of the Sefton Coast. Creamy-white flowers in May and June are followed by distinctive dark purple-black hips in autumn. It's much shorter and pricklier than garden roses, spreading by suckers to form low thickets. A good indicator of old, established dune grassland. The Sefton Coast is one of its strongholds in northwest England.
At a Glance
| Order | Rosales |
| Family | Rosaceae |
| Habitat | Fixed dune grassland · Dune slack edge · Calcareous grassland |
| UK population | Present on most UK dune systems and some calcareous grassland |
| Sefton Coast | Locally common on fixed dune grassland throughout the Sefton Coast |
| Conservation | UK Green List |
Where to See It
Fixed dune grassland at Ainsdale NNR and Formby. One of the characteristic dune plants.
Identification
Low, very prickly shrub to 50cm. Creamy-white flowers with prominent yellow stamens. Small, round, dark purple-black hips in autumn. Densely spiny stems.
Viewing & Photography Tips
Walk the fixed dune grassland at Ainsdale in May — the flowers are abundant and easy to spot. The black hips are distinctive in September.
Conservation Status
UK Green List
This species has a favourable conservation status in the UK and remains an important part of Sefton Coast biodiversity.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why is the Burnet Rose important at Ainsdale NNR?
Burnet Rose is a good indicator of old, undisturbed dune grassland — it requires stable, calcareous conditions to establish and does not persist in heavily disturbed or fertilised grassland. Its abundance at Ainsdale NNR is a sign of the high quality of the fixed dune habitat. It also provides fruit for birds and breeding habitat for small invertebrates.
Related Species
Plan your visit to the Sefton Coast
Marshside RSPB, Formby pinewoods, Ainsdale NNR — practical guides to getting there, what to bring, and the best spots for each season.