How to photograph wild roses so that the species can be identified:
- It’s important to get a picture of the entire plant. Is it erect or decumbent? Bushy, sprawling, climbing?
- Take a close-up photo of the stem. Are the prickles thin and straight or stout and curved? Many or few? Are the prickles hooked at the tip or not?
- Take a close-up side view of the fruit, including the pedicel. Is the fruit smooth or prickly? Glandular or not? Is the pedicel smooth or prickly? Are the sepals attached or have they fallen off? How many fruits are attached to the stem?
- Take a close-up photo of a flower. What color is it? How many petals does it have? Also take a picture of the underside of the flower.
- Make a note of the habitat: is it growing near a stream, in a forest, or in chaparral (esp. after a fire).