China rose, Chinese tea rose, Monthly rose
Rosa chinensis

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A shrub. It can be a climber. It grows 6 m high and spreads 2.4 m wide. It keeps its leaves except in areas with very cold winters. Leaves have 3-5 leaflets. Flowers in wild plants are single and white or pink. The fruit are greenish-brown or red hips.

Used as medicine in Indonesia. There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a warm temperate plant. It is native to China. It has become naturalised in the Adelaide Hills. In XTBG Yunnan. In Sichuan. It suits hardiness zones 7-10. Arboretum Tasmania.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, China, Dominican Republic, Europe, Haiti, Hawaii, India, Indochina, Indonesia, Italy, Korea, Laos, Marquesas, Mediterranean, Myanmar, Nepal, North America, Pacific, Sao Tome and Principe, SE Asia, Tasmania, USA, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The young shoots and leaves, flower buds and opened flowers are parboiled and eaten as potherbs, or in stir-fried dishes or in soups.

Edible parts

Flowers, fruit, leaves, seeds, stem

How it is grown

Plants can be grown from seeds and by grafting, cuttings and divisions.

Its other names

Local names

Bunga roos, Huong, Kanta gulab, Mawar cina, Yue ji hua

Synonyms

Rosa indica auctt. non L.; Rosa sinica L.;