Practical
Plants

Rosa canina

Dog 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
Growth rate
vigorous
Height
3 m
Spread
3 m
Fertility
Self fertile, Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self, Apomictic
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees, Flies, Beetles, Lepidoptera, Self, Apomictic

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[13][21][5]. It can be used in making delicious jams, syrups etc[25]. The syrup is used as a nutritional supplement, especially for babies[19]. The fruit can also be dried and used as a tea[28][4][11]. Frost softens and sweetens the flesh[4]. The fruit is up to 30mm in diameter[15], 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[2], it can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[2]. The dried leaves are used as a tea substitute[22][23][11]. A coffee substitute according to another report[25]. Petals - raw or cooked[9]. The base of the petal may be bitter so is best removed[11]. Eaten as a vegetable in China[24]. The petals are also used to make an unusual scented jam[25].

Product or use
Coffee
Product or use
Tea
Plant part
Flowers
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.

The petals, hips and galls are astringent, carminative, diuretic, laxative, ophthalmic and tonic[25][28][6][17][7]. The hips are taken internally in the treatment of colds, influenza, minor infectious diseases, scurvy, diarrhoea and gastritis[19]. A syrup made from the hips is used as a pleasant flavouring in medicines and is added to cough mixtures[19]. A distilled water made from the plant is slightly astringent and is used as a lotion for delicate skins[25]. The seeds have been used as a vermifuge[25]. The plant is used in Bach flower remedies - the keywords for prescribing it are 'Resignation' and 'Apathy'[16]. 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[18].

Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Bach
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Laxative
Product or use
Ophthalmic
Product or use
Tonic
Product or use
Vermifuge

Material uses

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

Plants make a dense and stock-proof hedge, especially when trimmed[12].

Environment

Range
Europe, including Britain, from Norway south and east to N. Africa and southwest Asia.
Habitat
Hedges, scrub, woods, roadsides, banks etc[28].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
light shade
Water
high
Hardiness
Zone 3+
Soil textures
sandy, loamy, clay, heavy clay
Soil pH
acid, neutral, alkaline
Drainage
well drained
Tolerances
high wind
Wind
Yes
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[27]. 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[27]. 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[27]. 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[15]. It may take 2 years to germinate[15]. 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[26]. High percentage[26]. 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[26][15]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[26]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Layering. Takes 12 months[3].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[3][15]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Prefers a circumneutral soil and a sunny position with its roots in the shade[3][15]. When grown in deep shade it usually fails to flower and fruit[12]. Succeeds in wet soils but dislikes water-logged soils or very dry sites[12]. Tolerates maritime exposure[12]. The fruit attracts many species of birds, several gall wasps and other insects use the plant as a host[12] A very polymorphic species, it is divided into a great number of closely related species by some botanists[1][8]. The leaves, when bruised, have a delicious fragrance[20]. The flowers are also fragrant. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[10][14]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[10][14]. Grows badly with boxwood[10]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[27]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[15].

References

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

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  2. Kavasch. B. Native Harvests. Vintage Books 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-394-72811-4

    ↩1↩2

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  4. Loewenfeld. C. and Back. P. Britain's Wild Larder. David and Charles ISBN 0-7153-7971-2

    ↩1↩2

  5. Triska. Dr. Hamlyn Encyclopaedia of Plants. Hamlyn 1975-00-00 ISBN 0-600-33545-3

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  6. Holtom. J. and Hylton. W. Complete Guide to Herbs. Rodale Press 1979-00-00 ISBN 0-87857-262-7

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  7. Mills. S. Y. The Dictionary of Modern Herbalism.

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

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  9. Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  12. Beckett. G. and K. Planting Native Trees and Shrubs. Jarrold 1979-00-00

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  15. 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

  16. Chancellor. P. M. Handbook of the Bach Flower Remedies C. W. Daniel Co. Ltd. 1985-00-00 ISBN 85207 002 0

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  17. Lust. J. The Herb Book. Bantam books 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-553-23827-2

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

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  19. Bown. D. Encyclopaedia of Herbs and their Uses. Dorling Kindersley, London. 1995-00-00 ISBN 0-7513-020-31

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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  21. Grieve. A Modern Herbal. Penguin 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-14-046-440-9

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

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  23. Usher. G. A Dictionary of Plants Used by Man. Constable 1974-00-00 ISBN 0094579202

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  24. Freethy. R. From Agar to Zenery. The Crowood Press 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-946284-51-2

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  25. Chiej. R. Encyclopaedia of Medicinal Plants. MacDonald 1984-00-00 ISBN 0-356-10541-5

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5↩6

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

  28. Launert. E. Edible and Medicinal Plants. Hamlyn 1981-00-00 ISBN 0-600-37216-2

    ↩1↩2↩3

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