Rose Hip

Rose Hip

Rose hip is the pseudofruit of plants in the Rosa genus. While the Rosa genus includes more than 100 species, most rose hip comes from the Dog Rose, or Rosa canina, a deciduous shrub native to Europe, northwest Africa, and western Asia.

History

First cultivated in ancient Persia, it eventually spread to Rome and Greece, where in 77 AD Pliny the Elder recorded more than 30 different medicinal uses for the rose plant and its berries.

During World War II when imports of citrus products were limited, rose hips became lifesaving in Great Britain. Volunteers spent hours gathering hips from hedge rows to make syrup for the Ministry of Health to distribute to prevent vitamin C deficiency.

Currently, Turkey supplies ~70% of the world’s rose products, and rose hips are still valued for both their medicinal and flavor properties.

Harvest

If a rose is pollinated, then when the pedals fall, a reddish bulb will begin to grow at the end of the stem. The rose hips begin to ripen at the beginning of fall and will linger on the plant until something takes them off. The best time to harvest is right after the first freeze because it ensure they are fully ripe, but not frozen.

Anatomy

The variable climber may reach heights of 20 feet, its stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked prickles, and it produces pale pink flowers.

Etymology

The English name is a direct translation of the plant’s classical Latin name which is thought to come from the belief that the root could be used to cure the bite of a mad dog.