Wild rose, Prickly rose
Rosa acicularis
Family: Rosaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1.8 m high and spreads 1.2 m wide. It has many prickles. The leaves are greyish-green. There are commonly five leaflets. The flowers are deep pink and have a mild scent. They occur singly. The fruit are bright red, pear shaped hips.
There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties. The seeds are high in Vitamin E.
Where it is found
It grows in subarctic regions. They prefer rich well drained soil. In north China it grows between 400-1,800 m above sea level. Melbourne Botanical gardens. It suits hardiness zones 2-9.
Countries/locations it is found in
Asia, Alaska, Australia, Canada, Central Asia, China, Europe, Japan, Kazakhstan, Korea, Mongolia, North America, Russia, Siberia, USA
How it is used for food
The fruit can be eaten raw. They can be made into syrups or dried and used in soups and teas. They are also used for jams along with the petals. The seeds can be ground and used in baking or cooking.
The rose hips are eaten fresh especially by children.
Edible parts
Flowers, fruit, tea, seeds, stem
How it is grown
The plants can be grown from seed, cuttings, suckers or by layering.
Its other names
Local names
Neechee, Nichih, Tuutaruaq