Abyssinian wild rose
Rosa abyssinica
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A prickly shrub. It can be creeping or climbing. It grows 50-70 cm high. There are a few prickles on the stem. They are slightly curved. The leaves are compound with 3 pairs of leaflets and one at the tip. These are narrowly oval and 1-6 cm long. There are teeth along the edge and they have s sharp tip. The flowers are white to pale yellow. They have a scent. The flowers usually occur as 3-20 in dense heads. The fruit are green but ripen to orange-red. They are fleshy and 2 cm long. They are edible.
There are between 100-150 (400) Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.
Where it is found
A tropical plant. In East Africa it grows in the highlands. It is common between 1,700-3,300 m altitude.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Arabia, East Africa, Ethiopia, Middle East, Somalia, Sudan, Yemen
How it is used for food
The ripe fruit are eaten raw. The seeds are not eaten.
The fruit are especially eaten by children.
Edible parts
Fruit, flowers
How it is grown
Plants can be grown by seeds or cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Atim, Dayero, Gora, Kaga, Kega, Otila, Qaqawwee, Qaqawwii, Quega