Rosa is the ancient Latin name for "rose". Palustris is the Latin word meaning "marsh-loving" or "found in bogs".

The Swamp Rose is a bushy species of rose that can reach 7 feet. It's flowers are pale pink and they are in bloom from June through August. Calyx and flower stems are hairy and bristly; spines are hooked. Prefers swamps and wet ground in the northern reaches of the Tallgrass region.

The Meskwaki and Menomini Indians boiled rose hips to make a syrup for a multitude of food uses. The skins of the boiled hips were used to treat stomach troubles. The Chippewa used the second layer of skin beneath the outer skin of the rose hips by scraping it into a cloth, soaking it in water and then squeezing that liquid into the eyes like eyedrops for sore or inflamed eyes. (This was the first step in a procedure that next involved the same process using red raspberry root.) Both Native Americans and early settlers boiled rose hips for food. They also ate the leaves, flowers and young shoots when other food was scarce.

It is said that 3 single rose hips contain the same amount of vitamin C as a large orange.

Edible Uses: Unknown

Medicinal Uses: Unknown

Herbal Uses: Unknown