Shrubs forming dense, low thickets. Stems erect, rarely arching, 2.5–8(–15) dm; distal branches densely pubescent, usually with, rarely without, stellate hairs, rarely glabrous, sometimes densely or sparsely sessile- or stipitate-glandular; infrastipular prickles paired or single, erect, rarely curved, 10–13 × 2.5–6 mm, sometimes with shorter internodal prickles and aciculi 0.5–5 mm. Leaves 2–3 cm; stipules 4–8 × 1–2 mm, margins ± entire, surfaces glabrous or tomentulose, sessile- or stipitate-glandular, sometimes eglandular; auricles obtuse, 2–3 × 1.5–2 mm, surfaces tomentulose, eglandular or glandular; petiole and rachis glabrous or pubescent, sparsely sessile- and stipitate-glandular, aciculi sparse, with or without glands; leaflets 3–5, terminal: petiolule 0.5–2 mm, blade obovate or deltate, 8–18 × 5–13 mm, margins broadly 1- or, rarely, multi-crenate, sometimes 1-serrate, glandular, teeth 3–8 per side on distal 1/2–2/3 of blades, apex acute or rounded, abaxial surfaces pubescent or tomentulose, rarely glabrous, eglandular, adaxial dull to lustrous, glabrous or tomentulose. Inflorescences 1(or 2)-flowered. Pedicels 2–16 mm, setae absent or dense or few, to 3 mm, pubescent, rarely glabrous, eglandular or stipitate- or sessile-glandular; bracts 0. Flowers 4–5 cm diam.; hypanthium cupulate, 2–5 × 3.5–6(–8) mm, puberulent or glabrous, setae subulate, 1–6 mm, eglandular, rarely glandular; sepals erect, 12–20 × 4–5 mm, tip 3–5 × 1–2 mm, lobes lanceolate, margins glandular, abaxial surfaces glabrous, basally setose, glandular; petals pink or dark pink, with strong almond fragrance, 15–25 × 14–25 mm; stamens 175; carpels 60–110, styles exsert 1–2.5 mm beyond stylar orifice (4–5 mm diam.), rims 1 mm wide. Hips dull red (darkening with age), broadly subglobose or cupulate, 7–13(–18) × (7–)9–16(–18) mm, setae to 4 mm, puberulent or glabrous, stipitate-glandular. Achenes 10–15, dark, ± terete-elongate, 3.5–4.5 × 2 mm.

Distribution

• Generated Map
• Legacy Map

Ariz., N.Mex., Tex.

Discussion

Subspecies 3 (3 in the flora).

Selected References

None.

Lower Taxa

Rosa stellata subsp. abyssa, Rosa stellata subsp. mirifica, Rosa stellata subsp. stellata

Key

1	Leaflets (3–)5; distal branches usually glabrous, rarely with stellate hairs (usually stipitate-glandular); petioles and rachises glabrous or puberulent; se New Mexico, w Texas.	Rosa stellata subsp. mirifica
1	Leaflets 3; distal branches tomentose-woolly, with stellate hairs; petioles and rachises pubescent or puberulent, sometimes glabrous; nw Arizona, sc New Mexico	> 2
2	Hypanthia: setae 1–3 mm; terminal leaflets abaxially tomentulose on midveins, otherwise glabrous; sc New Mexico.	Rosa stellata subsp. stellata
2	Hypanthia: setae 4–6 mm; terminal leaflets abaxially tomentulose or glabrous; nw Arizona.	Rosa stellata subsp. abyssa