Rosa agrestis, commonly known as small-leaved sweet briar or field briar, is a deciduous shrub native to a variety of habitats including open woodlands, forest edges, and grasslands in southern Europe, with sporadic occurrences in the Caucasus region. It is also found in northern Africa and Anatolia. This species, which is closely related to Rosa rubiginosa, typically grows to a height of 1-2 meters and features arching stems with hooked thorns. The leaves are pinnate with 5 to 7 leaflets, smaller than those of its relative, and the plant bears clusters of white to blush flowers that are subtly fragrant, blooming in late spring to early summer. The flowers are not particularly showy, but they give way to red-orange hips that can be ornamental in the fall.

In cultivation, Rosa agrestis is appreciated for its hardiness and ability to thrive in a range of soil types, though it prefers well-drained loamy soils. It is suitable for naturalistic plantings, hedgerows, and wildlife gardens, where it provides food and shelter for birds and beneficial insects. While it lacks the strong scent of its cousin, the sweet briar, it is more resistant to diseases such as black spot and rust. It requires full sun to part shade and moderate watering, with more tolerance for drought once established. There are no popular garden cultivars of this species, and it is not commonly found in the nursery trade.CC BY-SA 4.0