Apple rose
Rosa villosa

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It grows 1.8 m tall and spreads 1.2 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches are stiff and straight. There are scattered thorns. The leaves are downy and grey-green. The flowers are single and pink. The fruit are large, round, red hips. They have bristles.

There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties. Fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It suits hardiness zones 5-7.

Countries/locations it is found in

Albania, Asia, Australia, Austria, Balkans, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Europe, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iran, Italy, Luxembourg, Mediterranean, Middle East, Netherlands, North America, Poland, Romania, Russia, Switzerland, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also processed into preserves, wines, puddings, sauces, sweetmeats and drinks. The leaves are used as a substitute for tea.

It is cultivated.

Edible parts

Fruit

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Synonyms

Rosa pomifera Herrm.; Rosa sancti-andreae Degen & Trautm.;