[5] In open areas, the stems will arch downward after reaching a height of about 1 metre (3 ft), and where they touch the ground they will root.

[6] The fragrant flowers, blooming May to July, are usually pink, occasionally white, and appear either singly or in groups, or panicles on stalks.

R. setigera is native in the United States from Texas and Nebraska in the west, Wisconsin in the north, New Hampshire in the east, and Florida in the south.

[1] The plant can be found in areas with average to moist, well-drained soils, including forests and woodlands, roadsides, bluffs, streambanks, old fields, and pastures.

[3] R. setigera is the larval host for several species of moths, including Paleacrita vernata (spring cankerworm), Stigmella rosaefoliella, and Coptotriche roseticola.