Practical
Plants

Rosa californica

California Wild Rose

a perennial woody deciduous member of the Rosa genus in the family Rosaceae.

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Rosa
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
deciduous
Woodiness
woody
Height
2.5 m
Spread
2 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Insects, Self
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Insects, Self

Uses

Toxicity

Toxicity warning. The historical record reports a hazard for this plant. Do not use it to decide which parts are safe to eat or use medicinally.

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

There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.

Edible uses

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

Fruit - raw or cooked[9][10][15][2]. Eaten raw when it becomes soft after a frost, it is much esteemed[14][15]. Rich in vitamins A and C[14]. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter[5], but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[K]. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards. The seed is a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement. Be sure to remove the seed hairs. The blossoms have been soaked in water to make a beverage[8].

Product or use
Drink
Plant part
Fruit
Plant part
Seed

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.

An infusion of the blossoms has been used as an analgesic and febrifuge in treating pain and fevers in infants[8]. A decoction of the hips has been drunk in the treatment of kidney complaints, indigestion, rheumatism, sore throats, fevers and colds[8]. A decoction of the hips has been used as a wash on scabs and sores[8]. An infusion of the seeds has been used in the treatment of stomach fevers and painful congestion[8]. The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[6].

Product or use
Analgesic
Product or use
Antirheumatic
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Febrifuge
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Salve
Product or use
Stomachic

Material uses

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

An essential oil is obtained from the flowers and leaves, it is used in perfumery[14]. The unsplit stems have been used as rims in twined basketry[8].

Product or use
Basketry
Product or use
Essential

Environment

Range
South-western N. America - California.
Habitat
By rivers and in moist canyons[11].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 5+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
No
Drought
intolerant

Propagation

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

Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[13]. One possible way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[13]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[13]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months. Stored seed can be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[5]. It may take 2 years to germinate[5]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[12]. High percentage[12]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[12][5]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[12]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Layering. Takes 12 months[1].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[1], preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[5]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils[5]. The flowers have a rich perfume[7]. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[3][4]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[3][4]. Grows badly with boxwood[3]. The plant that is most commonly grown under this name is in fact R. nutcana[5]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[13]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[5].

References

  1. Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00

    ↩1↩2

  2. Yanovsky. E. Food Plants of the N. American Indians. Publication no. 237. U.S. Depf of Agriculture.

    ↩

  3. Philbrick H. and Gregg R. B. Companion Plants. Watkins 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Riotte. L. Companion Planting for Successful Gardening. Garden Way, Vermont, USA. 1978-00-00 ISBN 0-88266-064-0

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6↩7↩8

  6. Matthews. V. The New Plantsman. Volume 1, 1994. Royal Horticultural Society 1994-00-00 ISBN 1352-4186

    ↩

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

    ↩

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

  9. Uphof. J. C. Th. Dictionary of Economic Plants. Weinheim 1959-00-00

    ↩

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

    ↩

  11. Munz. A California Flora. University of California Press 1959-00-00

    ↩

  12. Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  13. McMillan-Browse. P. Hardy Woody Plants from Seed. Grower Books 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-901361-21-6

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  14. Sweet. M. Common Edible and Useful Plants of the West. Naturegraph Co. 1962-00-00 ISBN 0-911010-54-8

    ↩1↩2↩3

  15. Saunders. C. F. Edible and Useful Wild Plants of the United States and Canada. Dover Publications 1976-00-00 ISBN 0-486-23310-3

    ↩1↩2

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