Small-leaved Sweet-briar
Rosa agrestis
Conservation status data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Photo: Wikimedia Commons (CC) via https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rosa_agrestis
Taxonomy & Classification
Kingdom
Plantae
Phylum
Tracheophyta
Class
Magnoliopsida
Order
Rosales
Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Rosa
Small-leaved Sweet-briar belongs to the family Rosaceae, order Rosales, within the Magnoliopsida class.
Species Profile
Species profile data sourced from the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.
Small-leaved Sweet-briar faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native European range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional land management practices, as it depends on specific disturbance regimes and edge habitats that are increasingly rare in modern landscapes.
Key Facts
Habitat & Distribution
Occupies woodland edges, hedgerows, scrubland, and disturbed ground in temperate regions, typically thriving in semi-natural habitats with moderate disturbance regimes. Found in calcareous soils and open areas with partial shade, often associated with traditional agricultural landscapes and forest margins.
Threats
IUCN Red List: Critically Endangered
Small-leaved Sweet-briar faces severe population declines due to habitat loss from agricultural intensification and urban development across its native European range. The species is particularly vulnerable to changes in traditional land management practices, as it depends on specific disturbance regimes and edge habitats that are increasingly rare in modern landscapes.
Agricultural intensification and habitat conversion
Loss of traditional land management practices
Urban and infrastructure development
Competition from invasive plant species
Habitat fragmentation
National vs Global Threat Status
How this species is assessed at the national level compared to its IUCN global status (CR).
| Country | National Status | Global Status | Comparison |
|---|---|---|---|
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
| EU | LCLeast Concern | CRCritically Endangered | Lower local risk |
National Red List data sourced from the National Red List Project (nationalredlist.org, ZSL) and country-specific Red List authorities.
Community Sightings
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Sources & Attribution
How to Cite
IUCN: IUCN (2025). The IUCN Red List of Threatened Species. Version 2025-1. Available at: https://www.iucnredlist.org. doi:10.2305/IUCN.UK.2025-1.RLTS
GBIF: GBIF.org (2025). GBIF Home Page. Available at: https://www.gbif.org
National Red Lists: ZSL (2025). National Red List. Zoological Society of London. Available at: https://www.nationalredlist.org
This page: SpeciesRadar (2025). Small-leaved Sweet-briar (Rosa agrestis). SpeciesRadar: Intelligence for Earth's Biodiversity. Available at: https://speciesradar.org/species/small-leaved-sweet-briar