Dog Rose

Appearance

It is a deciduous shrub normally ranging in height from 1–5 m, though sometimes it can scramble higher into the crowns of taller trees. Its stems are covered with small, sharp, hooked prickles, which aid it in climbing. The leaves are pinnate, with 5-7 leaflets. The flowers are usually pale pink, but can vary between a deep pink and white. They are 4–6 cm diameter with five petals, and mature into an oval 1.5–2 cm red-orange fruit, or hip.

Naming

The botanic name is derived from the common names 'dog rose' or similar in several European languages.

It is sometimes considered that the word 'dog' has a disparaging meaning in this context, indicating 'worthless'. However it also known that it was used in the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries to treat the bite of rabid dogs, hence the name "dog rose" may result from this.

Other old folk names include dogberry and witches' briar.

⤷ In Turkish, its name is "kuşburnu", which translates as "bird nose."
⤷ In Swedish, its name is "stenros", which translates to "stone rose."
⤷ In Norwegian, its name is "steinnype", which translates to "stone hip."
⤷ In Azeri, its name is "itburunu", which translates as "dog nose."
⤷ In Mongolian, its name is "нохойн хошуу", which translates as "dog nose."Dog rose is an invasive species in the high country of New Zealand. It was recognised as displacing native vegetation as early as 1895 although the Department of Conservation does not consider it to be a conservation threat.

Uses

The plant is high in certain antioxidants. The fruit is noted for its high vitamin C level and is used to make syrup, tea and marmalade. It has been grown or encouraged in the wild for the production of vitamin C, from its fruit, especially during conditions of scarcity or during wartime. The species has also been introduced to other temperate latitudes. During World War II in the United States "Rosa canina" was planted in victory gardens, and can still be found growing throughout the United States, including roadsides, and in wet, sandy areas up and down coastlines.

Forms of this plant are sometimes used as stocks for the grafting or budding of cultivated varieties. The wild plant is planted as a nurse or cover crop, or stabilising plant in land reclamation and specialised landscaping schemes.

Numerous cultivars have been named, though few are common in cultivation. The cultivar "Rosa canina" 'Assisiensis' is the only dog rose without prickles. The hips are used as a flavouring in Cockta, a soft drink made in Slovenia.

Cultural

The dog rose was the stylized rose of medieval European heraldry, and is still used today. It is also the county flower of Hampshire.