The stems of the rose are upright, grayish in color on new growth, and brown on larger, older branches.

Rosa Setigera, on the other hand, has small, round hips similar to Multiflora and can get large, but usually have a mix of pink and white flowers.

The Carolina rose is frequently found in a wide range of habitats, including dry soils, at the border of prairies, woodlands, and savannas, in thickets, in upland forested areas, and dunes.

It also grows in wet soils along stream beds, swamps and low grassy areas.

It has a wide range, from Nova Scotia, Canada, south to Florida, west to Texas, and north to Ontario.