This diploid is widespread across much of eastern North America, but perhaps somewhat adventive in southeastern states (W). It appears to have a wide hydrological tolerance, occurring in dry thickets to swampy woodlands, sometimes forming large mounds or climbing into trees as high as 3 m. However, it is rare or absent in some hilly areas with less fertile soils, as in the Appalachian hills of Ky. and Tenn. (Ch). Open dots indicate the reliable published records of the species but not det. to variety. R. setigera is the only species of rose that is known to be dioecious, albeit in a cryptic fashion (Kemp et al. 1993).