Sweet chestnut rose, Burr rose, Silk-reeling flower, Roxburgh's rose
Rosa roxburghii

Family: Rosaceae

What it is like

A stiff shrub. It grows 2 m high and spreads 2 m wide. It loses its leaves during the year. The branches are angular. The bark becomes flaky and peels off. The leaves have 15 small, light green leaflets. It has double pink flowers. These are darker towards the centre. The rose hips have spines.

There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It grows on mountain slopes and beside streams between 500-1,400 m above sea level. It suits hardiness zones 5-10. In Sichuan.

Countries/locations it is found in

Asia, Australia, Britain, Canada, China, Dominican Republic, Europe, Haiti, Himalayas, India, Indochina, Japan, North America, SE Asia, Slovenia, Vietnam, West Indies

How it is used for food

The fruit are used for herbal tea and also for jam and wine. The leaves are used as a tea substitute.

A cultivated food plant. They are sold in local markets.

Edible parts

Fruit, seeds, leaves - tea

How it is grown

Its other names

Local names

Chinquapin rose, Huong Roxburgh, Sao si hua

Synonyms

Rosa microphylla Roxb. ex Lindl.; and others