Practical
Plants

Rosa laevigata

Cherokee Rose

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

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Taxonomy and growth

Family
Rosaceae
Genus
Rosa
Life cycle
perennial
Foliage
evergreen
Woodiness
woody
Growth rate
moderate
Height
6 m
Fertility
Bees
Flower type
hermaphrodite
Pollinators
Bees

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[7]. The pear-shaped fruit is up to 4cm long[12], but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[K]. Sugar can be extracted from the fruit, it is also used to ferment rose wine[19]. 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[2][10]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[2].

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 leaves are a famous vulnerary[14]. The fruits, root and leaves are emmenagogue and depurative[5]. Their use stabilizes the kidneys[5]. A decoction is used in the treatment of chronic dysentery, urinary tract infections, wet dreams, prolapse of the uterus, menstrual irregularities and traumatic injuries[5]. The root bark is astringent and used in the treatment of diarrhoea and menorrhagia[14]. The dried fruits are antibacterial, anticholesterolemic, astringent, carminative, diuretic and stomachic[6][8][14][16]. They are used internally in the treatment of urinary dysfunction, infertility, seminal emissions, urorrhoea, leucorrhoea and chronic diarrhoea[16]. The root is used in the treatment of uteral prolapse[14]. The flowers are used in the treatment of dysentery and to restore hair cover[14]. 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[13].

Product or use
Antibacterial
Product or use
Anticholesterolemic
Product or use
Astringent
Product or use
Cancer
Product or use
Carminative
Product or use
Depurative
Product or use
Diuretic
Product or use
Emmenagogue
Product or use
Infertility
Product or use
Kidney
Product or use
Stomachic
Product or use
Vulnerary

Material uses

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

The root bark contains tannin[19]..

Product or use
Tannin

Environment

Range
E. Asia - Southern China from Sichuan and Hubei to Taiwan.
Habitat
Rocky places at low altitudes[3]. In open fields, farmland, or in scrub at elevations of 200 - 1600 metres[19].
Light
full sun
Shade tolerance
no shade
Water
moderate
Hardiness
Zone 7+
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[21]. 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[21]. 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[21]. 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[12]. It may take 2 years to germinate[12]. 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[20]. High percentage[20]. 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[20][12]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[20]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Layering. Takes 12 months[4].

Cultivation

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

Succeeds in most soils[4], preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[12]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils[12]. A very ornamental plant[1], but it is not very hardy in Britain and only succeeds outside in the warmer parts of the country[4]. It can be cut back to the ground even in southern England in cold winters, though it will usually resprout from the base[18]. It is the state flower of Georgia[15] and is also the parent of several modern garden cultivars[15]. The flowers have a clove-like fragrance[17]. If any pruning is necessary then this should be carried out immediately after the plant has finished flowering[15]. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[9][11]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[9][11]. Grows badly with boxwood[9]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[21]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[12].

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. Wilson. E. H. Plantae Wilsonae.

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

  5. ? A Barefoot Doctors Manual. Running Press ISBN 0-914294-92-X

    ↩1↩2↩3

  6. Yeung. Him-Che. Handbook of Chinese Herbs and Formulas. Institute of Chinese Medicine, Los Angeles 1985-00-00

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

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  8. Stuart. Rev. G. A. Chinese Materia Medica. Taipei. Southern Materials Centre

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

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

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

    ↩1↩2

  12. 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

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

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  14. Duke. J. A. and Ayensu. E. S. Medicinal Plants of China Reference Publications, Inc. 1985-00-00 ISBN 0-917256-20-4

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4↩5

  15. Grey-Wilson. C. & Matthews. V. Gardening on Walls Collins 1983-00-00 ISBN 0-00-219220-0

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2

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

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  18. Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Conservatory and Indoor Plants Volumes 1 & 2 Pan Books, London. 1998-00-00 ISBN 0-330-37376-5

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  19. Flora of China 1994-00-00 http://flora.huh.harvard.edu/china/

    ↩1↩2↩3

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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

    ↩1↩2↩3↩4

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