Practical
Plants

Rhodiola rosea

Rose Root

a perennial member of the Rhodiola genus in the family Crassulaceae.

No photo available

Taxonomy and growth

Life cycle
perennial
Height
0.3 m
Spread
0.3 m
Fertility
Self sterile, Bees, Flies
Flower type
dioecious
Pollinators
Bees, Flies

Uses

Edible uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

The young succulent leaves and shoots are eaten raw or cooked like spinach[7][13][14][16][4][5]. A slightly bitter taste, we find them unpleasant on their own though they can be used as a small part of a mixed salad[K]. They can be made into a sauerkraut[12]. Stems - cooked and eaten like asparagus[5]. Root - raw or cooked[2][5][12]. It was fermented before being eaten by the N. American Indians[4].

Plant part
Leaves
Plant part
Root
Plant part
Stem

Medicinal uses

Historical medicinal uses. These records describe reported uses. They do not establish safety or effectiveness. Ask a qualified health professional before using any plant medicinally.

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Though little known as a medicinal plant, rose root has been used in traditional European medicine for over three thousand years, mainly as a tonic. Modern research has shown that it increases the body's resistance to any type of stress by regulating the body's hormonal response. Its use has been shown to have a protective effect upon the neurotransmitters such as serotonin and dopamine in the brain. It improves neurotransmitter activity by inhibiting their enzymatic destruction and preventing their decline caused by excessive stress hormone release. Rose root also enhances the transport of serotonin's precursors into the brain and studies have shown that use of this herb can increase brain serotonin by up to 30%[11]. The root is adaptogen. It has an enhancing effect upon physical endurance and sexual potency. A decoction of the flowers has been used to treat stomach aches and intestinal discomfort[12]. The raw flowers have been eaten in the treatment of tuberculosis[12].

Product or use
Adaptogen
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
TB

Material uses

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Plants can be grown as a ground cover when planted about 30cm apart each way[9]. The dried root smells strongly of roses. They may be used to distil rose-water[10].

Product or use
Essential

Ecology and functions

Ecosystem niche
Soil surface

Ground cover

Environment

Range
Arctic regions of Europe, Asia and N. America, including Britain, further south on mountains.
Habitat
Crevices of mountain rocks and on sea cliffs[3].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 1+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind, maritime exposure, drought
Wind
Yes
Maritime
Yes
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
tolerant

Propagation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Seed - surface sow in a sunny position in a greenhouse in spring. Do not let the compost dry out. The seed usually germinates in 2 - 4 weeks at 10°c. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle, and grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter. Plant out in early summer of the following year. Division in August to October[8]. Very easy, larger divisions can be planted out direct into their permanent positions. We have found that it is better to pot up the smaller divisions and grow them on in light shade in a cold frame until they are well established before planting them out in late spring or early summer. Cuttings taken in the growing season[8]. Basal shoots in early summer are easiest. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer.

Cultivation

This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.

Prefers a fertile well drained open loam in a sunny position[15][8]. Tolerates fairly damp conditions but prefers a raised well-drained spot[15]. Established plants are drought resistant[6]. This species is extremely polymorphic[8]. Plants often self-sows when they are growing in a suitable position[15]. They can self-sow to the point of nuisance[K]. The dried root has a rose scent[1][15]. Dioecious. Male and female plants must be grown if seed is required.

References

  1. F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00

    ↩

  2. Coon. N. The Dictionary of Useful Plants. Rodale Press 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-090-x

    ↩

  3. Clapham, Tootin and Warburg. Flora of the British Isles. Cambridge University Press 1962-00-00

    ↩

  4. Schofield. J. J. Discovering Wild Plants - Alaska, W. Canada and the Northwest.

    ↩1↩2

  5. Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512

    ↩

  7. Hedrick. U. P. Sturtevant's Edible Plants of the World. Dover Publications 1972-00-00 ISBN 0-486-20459-6

    ↩

  8. Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  9. Thomas. G. S. Plants for Ground Cover J. M. Dent & Sons 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-460-12609-1

    ↩

  10. Genders. R. Scented Flora of the World. Robert Hale. London. 1994-00-00 ISBN 0-7090-5440-8

    ↩

  11. Solgar Vitamins Solgar New Product Information - Rhodiola Vegicaps. Solgar Vitamins, Tring, Herts. 1998-00-00

    ↩

  12. Moerman. D. Native American Ethnobotany Timber Press. Oregon. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-88192-453-9

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. Larkcom. J. Salads all the Year Round. Hamlyn 1980-00-00

    ↩

  14. Elias. T. and Dykeman. P. A Field Guide to N. American Edible Wild Plants. Van Nostrand Reinhold 1982-00-00 ISBN 0442222009

    ↩

  15. Evans. R. L. Handbook of Cultivated Sedums. Science Reviews 1983-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  16. Harrington. H. D. Edible Native Plants of the Rocky Mountains. University of New Mexico Press 1967-00-00 ISBN 0-8623-0343-9

    ↩

Edit this page