Vermont Shrubs and Woody Vines 117 



serve to separate this form from the swamp rose as shown in the 

 figures and emphasized in the preceding key. The sepals are 

 most useful for distinguishing this species from the next. In 

 addition to the characters emphasized in the key one should note 

 that the outer sepals of the pasture rose are always more oi 

 less lobed. 



THE SMOOTH ROSE. Rosa blafida Ait. 



While less generally conimon in Vermont than the pasture 

 rose, the smooth rose is frequent especially on rocky headlands 

 and banks of lakes and streams. The stems are low, generally one 

 to three feet, although they may rise somewhat higher than the 

 pasture rose. The branches typically are nearly or quite unarmed, 

 but occasional plants occur with numerous prickles. The smooth 

 surface of the hip and the sepals connivent after the flowering 

 stage, and persisting even upon the mature fruit, enable ready 

 recognition as explained in the key. To distinguish this form 

 from the pasture rose it may sufiice to note that the sepals have 

 entire margins and are not lobed as are the former. 



In addition to the above list of the commoner roses several 

 other native kinds occur occasionally. The most widely dis- 

 tributed of these is the prickly rose, Rosa acicnlaris Lindl. var. 

 Bourgeaiiiana Crepin. This is most closely allied to the smooth 

 rose, differing in the abundance of its long slender prickles and 

 its bristly leaf stem. This is occasionally found on the dry 

 headlands and rocky ridges of western Vermont. Two others have 

 been found so rarely that one who suspects he has them should 

 refer to some manual of botany, or submit specimens to an au- 

 thority. The glossy rose, Rosa virginiana.M-iW. has been found 

 in two places. North Pownal and Stratton Pond. The so-called 

 "northeastern" or bristly rose, Rosa nitida Willd., has been 

 found only at Bradford. 



