About Rosa canina L.
Rosa canina L., commonly known as the dog rose, is a deciduous shrub that normally grows 1 to 5 metres (3+1โ2โ16+1โ2 ft) tall, though it can scramble higher into the crowns of taller trees. It produces multiple arching stems covered in small, sharp, hooked prickles that help it climb. Its leaves are pinnate with 5 to 7 leaflets, and release a pleasant fragrance when bruised. The dog rose blooms from June to July, producing sweet-scented flowers that are most often pale pink, but can range in color from deep pink to white. Flowers measure 4 to 6 centimetres (1+1โ2โ2+1โ2 in) across and have five petals. Like other roses, dog rose has quincuncial aestivation. It has an unusual sepal arrangement when viewed from below: two of its five sepals are whiskered (also called 'bearded') on both sides, two are fully smooth, and one is whiskered on only one side. It typically has 10 or more pistils and multiple stamens. After flowering, blooms mature between September and October into oval red-orange hips that measure 1.5โ2 cm (1โ2โ3โ4 in) long. If not eaten by wildlife, these fruits can persist on the plant for several months and turn black as they age. On average, fruits persist for 64 days, and contain an average of 18.1 seeds per fruit. Fruits are 65.2% water by composition, which may be the lowest water content of any European fleshy fruit; the plant's dry fruit weight is made up of 17.3% carbohydrates and 0.7% lipids. Dog rose can easily be confused in form and flower with two related species: fieldbriar Rosa agrestis and sweetbriar Rosa rubiginosa. In cultivation, dog rose is hardy to UK zone 3, which corresponds to USDA hardiness zones 3 to 7. It tolerates maritime exposure, grows well in full sun, and will thrive even in heavy clay soils. Like all roses, it cannot tolerate waterlogged soils or extremely dry sites, and it usually fails to produce flowers or fruit when grown in deep shade. Numerous cultivars have been developed, but few are common in general cultivation. The cultivar Rosa canina 'Assisiensis' is the only thornless dog rose cultivar, and it is thought to be linked to Saint Francis of Assisi, which inspired its cultivar name. Ripe dog rose hips harvested in autumn can be eaten raw directly from the bush. They are also processed into syrup, tea, and preserves including jam and marmalade, and used as an ingredient in pies, stews, and wine. Dog rose flowers can be made into syrup, eaten raw 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, and it can still be found growing wild across the country along roadsides, in pastures, and in nature conservation areas. In Poland, dog rose petals are used to make a jam commonly used as a filling for pฤ czki, a traditional Polish doughnut. Rose hip essential oil from Rosa canina is composed primarily of alcohols, monoterpenes, and sesquiterpenes. Dog rose grows abundantly in Bulgaria, where its hips are used to produce sweet wine and tea. In Slovenia, its hips are used to make a popular local drink called Cockta.
