Wild Rose
(Scientific Name: Rosa
species)
Description:
Bushes 3-10 feet tall, usually with prickly, branched stems. The
showy, pink flowers usually grow in clusters on young side branches.
The compound leaves are toothed. The fruits (hips), which ripen in
the fall, are red or orange-red and very conspicuous.
Habitat: Widely distributed throughout the
continent, growing in many different situations from sea level to
about 6000 feet.
Uses:
Few foods are comparable to the tasty rose hips in vitamin C
content. Cut them open, remove the seeds and use the fleshy rinds.
They make excellent jams and jellies, or they can be dried and used
for tea. Because they remain on the plant throughout the winter and
can be picked when other fruit is unavailable, they are a good
source of emergency food.
