The light- or greyish-green leaves have 5 to 7 ovate leaflets with small teeth; the veins are sometimes pubescent and the rachis bears prickles.

Small, ovate fruits called hips are borne, turning orange-red in autumn.

The flowers have a characteristic musky scent emanating from the stamens, which is also found in some of its descendants.

They can be distinguished in gardens by their season of flowering and by their differing growth habits.

It has been contended that no truly wild examples of the musk rose have been found, though it is recorded in cultivation at least as far back as the 16th century (being mentioned in A Midsummer Night's Dream [1596]).