Dog-rose

The dog rose is a deciduous shrub normally ranging in height from 1–5 metres (3+1⁄2–16+1⁄2 ft), though it can scramble higher into the crowns of taller trees. Its multiple arching stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked prickles, which aid it in climbing. The leaves are pinnate, with 5–7 leaflets, and have a delicious fragrance when bruised.

The dog rose blooms from June to July, with sweet-scented flowers that are usually pale pink, but can vary between a deep pink and white. They are 4–6 centimetres (1+1⁄2–2+1⁄2 in) in diameter with five petals. Like other roses it has a quincuncial aestivation. Unusually though, of its five sepals, when viewed from underneath, two are whiskered (or 'bearded') on both sides, two are quite smooth and one is whiskered on one side only. It has usually 10 or more pistils, and multiple stamens. Flowers mature in September to October, into an oval, 1.5–2 cm (1⁄2–3⁄4 in), red-orange hips. The fruits can persist on the plant for several months (if not eaten by wildlife) and become black.

Its fruit persists for an average of 64 days, and bears an average of 18.1 seeds per fruit. Fruits average 65.2% water (possibly the lowest water content among European fleshy fruits), and their dry weight includes 17.3% carbohydrates and 0.7% lipids. Its form and flowers can be confused with fieldbriar Rosa agrestis and sweetbriar Rosa rubiginosa.

Genetics. …

The fruits can be picked and eaten straight from the bush when ripe in autumn, if care is taken to avoid the hairs inside the fruit. They are also used to make syrup, tea, and preserves (jam and marmalade), and are used in the making of pies, stews, and wine. The flowers can be made into a syrup, eaten in salads, candied, or preserved in vinegar, honey or brandy. During World War II in the United States, Rosa canina was planted in victory gardens; it can still be found growing throughout that country, including on roadsides, in pastures and nature conservation areas. In Poland, the petals are used to make a jam that is particularly suitable for filling pączki, a type of doughnut. Rose hip essential oil is composed mainly of alcohols, monoterpenes and sesquiterpenes. In Bulgaria, where the dog rose grows in abundance, its hips are used to make sweet wine and tea. In Slovenia, its hips are made into a popular drink named Cockta.

Nutritional value. Rose hips (the pseudo-fruits of Rosa canina) are rich sources of vitamin C, which can vary widely depending on species, ripeness, and post-harvest handling. They also contain provitamin-A carotenoids, such as β-carotene and lutein, which contribute to antioxidant activity. Tocopherols (vitamin E) are also present and contribute to the fruit’s antioxidant capacity. …

The dog rose is hardy to zone 3 in the UK (USDA hardiness zone 3–7), tolerates maritime exposure, grows well in a sunny position, and grows even in heavy clay soils, but like all roses dislikes water-logged soils or very dry sites. In deep shade, it usually fails to flower and fruit. Numerous cultivars have been named, though few are common in cultivation. The cultivar Rosa canina 'Assisiensis' is the only dog rose without thorns. Thought to be linked to Saint Francis of Assisi, hence the name.

The botanical name is derived from the common names 'dog rose' or similar in several European languages, including classical Latin and ancient (Hellenistic period) Greek. The Roman naturalist Pliny attributed the name dog rose to a belief that the plant's root could cure the bite of a mad dog. It is not clear if the dogs were rabid. According to The Oxford Dictionary of Phrase and Fable, the English name is a direct translation of the plant's name from classical Latin, rosa canina, itself a translation of the Greek κυνόροδον ('kunórodon'); It is thought to have been used to treat the bite of rabid dogs in the 18th and 19th centuries. The origin of its name may be related to the hooked prickles on the plant that have resemblance to a dog's canines. It is sometimes considered that the word 'dog' has a disparaging meaning in this context, indicating 'worthless' as compared with cultivated garden roses.