This shrub is widespread in North America, occurring in thickets, woods, streamsides, mountain slopes and prairie regions. Canes are erect and armed with prickles. Growing to six feet with showy flowers, the plant provides game cover. Fruits are high in vitamin C and provide food for grouse, quail, deer, coyote, pheasant and turkey.

Many Indians boiled the petals, stems, or root bark for tea. The solution was used as an eyewash. A compress was made from crushed roots. They sniffed the vapor for nose bleeding, drank it for mouth bleeding, and gargled and swallowed some for tonsillitis and sore throat.

A bee loads its honey sacs with nectar and picks up pollen on its feet at the McNary NWR Education Center in May 2002.