Dog rose, Brier rose
Rosa canina
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A prickly creeping shrub. It develops suckers. It grows 3 m high and spreads 3 m wide. The stems are prickly. The leaves are opposite and have leaflets along the stalk. The leaves have 5-7 leaflets. The flowers have a scent. The flowers are pale pink and occur singly. The fruit are orange-red hips.
There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties. It can be invasive. The fruit have high antioxidant capacity.
Where it is found
It is a temperate plant. It does best in dry loamy soils and an open sunny position. It suits hardiness zones 3-10. Tasmania Herbarium. Arboretum Tasmania.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Albania, Andorra, Argentina, Armenia, Asia, Australia, Azerbaijan, Balkans, Belarus, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Caucasus, Central Asia, Chile, Croatia, Czech Republic, Dominican Republic, Europe (country/location of origin), Falklands, Georgia, Greece, Haiti, Himalayas, Hungary, India, Iran, Iraq, Ireland, Italy, Jordan, Kazakhstan, Kosovo, Kyrgyzstan, Lebanon, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Mexico, Middle East, Moldova, Morocco, Nepal, New Zealand, North Africa, North America, Norway, Portugal, Romania, Russia, San Marino, Scandinavia, Serbia, Sicily, Slovakia, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Switzerland, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, USA, Uzbekistan, West Indies
How it is used for food
The young shoots are used in soups and sauces. The fruit are used in jams, syrup, soup, jellies, wine and tea. They are also eaten raw. The flowers are used as a snack or in salads. They can be candied, preserved, crystallised or added to vinegar, honey, brandy etc. They are also used for herbal tea. The leaves are used as a tea substitute.
It is sold in local markets.
Edible parts
Fruit, flowers, herb, leaves - tea
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or by cuttings or grafting.
Its other names
Local names
Ask'ili, Common briar, Dikenbasi, Eglantier, Escalambrojo, Escaramujo, Giarrauta, Grata-tu, Grattacu, Grattacul, Gulab, Gulabax, Gularaz, Gulsilan, Gulsilav, Hundsrose, Iprim, Itburnu, Itburun, Jangli gulaab, Kaca, Kopekgulu, Kuin, Kusbasi, Kusburnu, Maces, Masreni, Masur, Navadni šipek, Okuzgotu, Peterlenga, Pibura, Pittellenga, Rosa selvatico, Rosa sarvaggia, Rosa silvestre, Shilan, Shipinka, Shipka, Silan, Silank, Sipurak, Sirgul, Steinnype, Sverboritki, Tabgha, Tapaculos, Tighfrt, Ward barri, Yabanigul