Habitat
Type: scrub, hedges
Distribution: throughout northern hemisphere

General
Growth type: cane
Cycle: perennial
Height: up to 3 meters
Other:

Leaf
Shape: pinnate
Arrangement: 2-3 pair leaflets
Edge: toothed
Other:

Stem
Colour: green
Texture: smooth with sparse curved thorns
Other: trailing, whip-like

Flower
Diameter: 45-50mm
Other: scented
Colour:

Fruit
Shape: oval
Colour: red
Size: 20mm
Other: called "hip"

Seed
Shape: oval, hairy
Colour: cream
Size: 3mm with casing
Casing: fruit

Sharp thorns.

Seed hairs are irritant - remove before consuming seed.

June and July
August to November

Flavour
Rating and Description:
slightly sour, sweeter after frost

How to Consume
petals: raw, tea, wine
raw, tea, syrup
cooked

Special preparation
remove seeds - see note below
rub off irritant hairs - see note below

Nutrition
rich source of minerals and Vitamins, especially Vitamin C (one cup equals approx.40 oranges) and Vitamin E, carotene, flavenoids and essential fatty acids
Vitamin E, essential fatty acids

Used as ...
beverage
food, beverage, flavouring
food

Action:
petals: astringent, carminative, diuretic, laxative, opthalmic, tonic
anti-rheumatic, antiscorbutic, depurative
with hairs: vermifuge

May treat:
colds, influenza, minor infectious diseases, diarrhoea, gastritis
with hairs: intestinal worms

Collection
petals only, flowers best left to form fruit for later collection or for wildlife
best when softened by frost and well ripe when the pulp can be easily squeezed out of the hip

Drying
dry in ventilated place, below 40°C
dry in sun, grind into powder

Note
The seeds with their irritating hairs can be removed by halving the fruit and drying it. Shake them vigorously in a lidded jar to dislodge the seeds, then in a sieve over some newspaper or outdoors (take care not to inhale or touch the hairs). This way the hairs can also be removed from the seeds.

Plant parts:
leaf
stem or trunk
sap
root, bulb, tuber and other below ground parts
flower
fruit
seed

Use:
culinary use
medicinal use
household use

Other:
caution

General Glossary

• pinnate: with series of leaflets on each side of central stalk

Glossary of Medicinal Terms and Nutritive Substances

• anti-rheumatic: treats rheumatism
• antiscorbutic: prevents scurvy, contains Vitamin C
• astringent: causes localised contraction of blood vessels and tissue, reducing the flow of blood, mucus, diarrhoea etc.
• carminative: prevents or eases effects of flatulence
• depurative: eliminates toxins and purifies the system, especially the blood
• diuretic: increases secretion and elimination of urine
• laxative: evacuates the bowels or softens stools
• ophthalmic: treats eye complaints
• tonic: improves general health, bringing steady improvement
• vermifuge: expels worms from the body (see also anthelmintic)