Rose Hip - Rosa rugosa

These rose hips were huge and perfect!

Habitat: Coastal Maine

comments (4)

Ferdy Christant

Lion

I'm not sure if its the exact same species but I remember these from my childhood. Squashing them reveals lots of tiny, moist seeds that itch like a ... Posted 6 years ago
1. Christine Young
  
  Lion
  
  Yep, this is them...The French call rose hips "gratte cul”, which means "scratching ass", and Native Americans said that they cause “itchy bottom disease". The seeds have irritating hairs, as you discovered. But, if you eat the fruit without removing the seeds, the itch travels through the digestive system...hence the common names... Posted 6 years ago
2. 1. Ferdy Christant
    
    Lion
    
    Interesting background, thank you! We mostly used them as weapons. Posted 6 years ago
  2. 1. Christine Young
      
      Lion
      
      Lol, I bet they were effective. Posted 6 years ago

The Beach Rose

"Rosa rugosa" is a species of rose native to eastern Asia, in northeastern China, Japan, Korea and southeastern Siberia, where it grows on beach coasts, often on sand dunes. It should not be confused with "Rosa multiflora", which is also known as "Japanese rose". The Latin word "rugosa" means "wrinkled", referring to the wrinkled leaves.

Info 16 0

Similar species: Rosales

Species identified by Christine Young