Appearance and description of rose hips

Its fruits are often featured in medicinal recipes, and ornamental bushes are desired on each compound. The people call the plant a wild rose, and botanists number about half a thousand of its species, most of which are cultivated. What is a rose hip, where it grows, what properties it has and how it is used in a person’s daily life - learn all about this later in the article.

Characteristics of the plant, appearance, where it grows

In the scientific literature, dogrose is a genus of the family Pink (Rosaceae) of the order Rosaceae (Rosales) . This culture is very ancient. According to some reports, people began to use its berries at the end of the ice age. And some modern shrubs have grown to such an extent that they become more like giant spiny trees.

One of these instances today grows near a temple in the German city of Hildesheim and is considered the oldest on the planet. Its branches stretched to a height of 13 m, and the trunk girth reaches half a meter. It is estimated that the giant is about a thousand years old. This is evidenced by written references to monks and paintings by unknown artists of those times.

Another rosehip known throughout the world now grows in the United States of America and attracts attention with its extraordinary size. It is less than 200 years old, but luxurious branches span an area of ​​over 740 m². During flowering, a wild bush is covered with 200 thousand delicate buds, thinning an indescribable aroma. But not every rose bush is striking in its stature. Most of them, as can be seen in the photo, are characterized by the usual structure.

Did you know? Ancient Greek legends connect the bright red color of rosehip berries with the blood of Aphrodite, who, headlong, fled to the place of her lover's death, knocking her legs to blood and not even noticing how prickly feral roses tore her body.

Root system

These enduring shrubs can withstand prolonged heat and drought. And all because their strong core roots reach a depth of 5-6 m. In this case, the main part of the root system is deepened only 15 - 40 cm from the surface of the earth, occupying a wide near-trunk circle with a radius of up to 1 m. Some species tend to build up voluminous underground thickenings, which are the source of innumerable lignified root shoots.

In turn, these adnexal processes form vegetative buds. To the extent of their development, they form a strong root branch, which partially comes out. Underground roots lie shallow and form new pink seedlings. To the extent of their growth, separation from the mother bush occurs. Visually, such a wild rose grows significantly due to neighboring offspring and forms dense thickets. It is characteristic that not all varieties of rose hips are characterized by the ability of such vegetative splitting.

Branches and shoots

In pink more often, regardless of its habitat, dry stems periodically appear. This feature of the plant is associated with a short life span of individual shoots. On average, it does not exceed 5 years.

Important! In a rosehip with a rich vitamin composition, the sepals stick up, and a round hole remains on the berries under the cup. In low-vitamin species, the calyx leaves are directed downward, falling away, they form a dense pentagon.

On bush forms of wild rose, botanists distinguish 2 types of branches:

  • erect
  • curved down.

All of them are characterized by rapid growth, in the first year of life they can reach one and a half meters height and 12 mm in diameter. Initially, the surface of the branches is densely covered with soft hooked or straight spikes, which are lignified to the extent of their aging. Their number is increasing closer to the base of the bush, including aerial roots. But on perennial sprouts spines are much smaller than on annuals.

Young shoots of Rosaceae are distinguished by green, brown, color with possible brown, violet, red and black shades. Also, felt or bristly pubescence is not excluded on their surface.

Flowers

Rosehip bloom begins in May - June. Then on paniculate branches panicle inflorescences appear, consisting of 4-6 large buds with delicate white or cream semi-double petals and a strong aroma (in some instances it is unpleasant). From a botanical point of view, the flowers are bisexual, depending on the species, they can be monocotyledonous or dicotyledonous, five-petalled, up to 10 cm in diameter, with a large corolla, numerous stamens and pestles.

The pedicels are short, often pitcher-shaped.

Leaves

The foliage of most species of wild rose is inherent in a light green color. It is long-leaved, pinnate, located on sprouts in a spiral. Each leaf, with the exception of the Rosa persica variety, has paired stipules fused with the cuttings. Their length varies from 4 to 12 cm, and their width is from 1 to 2 cm. The shape can be elliptical, round, heart-shaped and wedge-shaped.

An excellent characteristic of cultivars is the presence of 5 lateral leaves on the shoots. In wild species, there are 8–9. A strong central vein and about 6-12 lateral veins of different thicknesses are clearly visible on the leaf surface. On the back of the vein mesh rarely protrudes, but is clearly visible.

Fruit

Rosehip begins to bear fruit at 2-3 vegetation. But abundant yields on shrubs are observed with a frequency of 3 to 5 years. The largest number of berries usually ripens in bushes that are 4 to 6 years old. The ripening period of the crop depends on the place of growth of the crop, soil and climatic characteristics of the region. In a temperate strip, red berries on the bushes begin to appear in early autumn.

Did you know? Wild rose flowers open exactly at 4-5 in the morning, and go to bed at 7-8 in the evening.

The fruits of the wild rose are an elongated meaty or dry polyhedra with a diameter of up to 1.5 cm with a hard peel of purple, orange, dark red and black. Its surface can be smooth or covered with small bristles. Inside the berries are coarse-haired fibers and numerous single-seed nuts. They can be of various shapes and shapes. Their germination is maintained for 2 years.

Despite the large germ in the seeds, they are difficult to germinate. This is due to the poor permeability of the fruit coat. Therefore, the seed method of reproduction is not popular among biologists and gardeners.

Rosehip berries, in comparison with other parts of the plant, accumulate beneficial substances to a greater extent. They contain: vitamins A (2.6 mg), PP (0.6 mg), E (1.7 mg), C (650 mg), iron (11.5 mg), manganese (19 mg), copper (37 mg), molybdenum (4.3 mg), zinc (1.1 mg), potassium (23 mg), calcium (28 mg), magnesium (8 mg), sodium (5 mg), phosphorus (8 mg ), pectins, sucrose, pentosans, ascorbic and citric acids, riboflavin.

Pollen

The inconsistency of the structure of the wild rose lies in the fact that its thorns are designed to scare insects, and a strong aroma, on the contrary, attracts them. During flowering, many bees gather on inflorescences. In wet weather, as well as at night, the petals close independently, hiding valuable pollen. It is a microscopic yellow powder consisting of many elongated pollen oval-round grains.

In the afternoon, flowers turn towards the sun.

Application

The ripe rose hips confidently entered many areas of human life. They are widely used in medicine, cooking and industry. To obtain healthy fruits, many land owners are specially engaged in growing crops. But about all this in order.

Learn more about the nuances of transplanting an adult rosehip bush.

In industry

Due to its rich chemical composition, dogrose is an inexhaustible source of vital vitamins and minerals for the human body. People have learned to use this feature of it not only for recreational, but also for commercial purposes. As a result, many industrial plantations appeared on the open spaces of the planet, where a wild rose was cultivated. The harvest was used for the manufacture of biological additives, vitamin complexes, cosmetic products for hair and body care.

Today, the use of valuable raw materials is also relevant. It is grown in large quantities in the fields of Asia, Europe, Africa, North America, Australia and New Zealand. Among the popular species, wrinkled rosehips prevail, the composition of which leads in the number of useful components. Large-fruited Maiskaya, Iglistaya, Daursky varieties are slightly inferior to it.

At first glance, the tenacious powerful branches of rosehip bushes give the impression of high endurance of the plant and its adaptability to any conditions. However, the owners of industrial plantations are recognized in the unprofitable results of the laying of such a berry plant in brackish and swampy areas. Also, rocky loamy and sandy loamy soils with a high lime content are not recommended for planting crops.

Important! Rose hips need about a week for them to move away after drying. After this time they can be consumed .

Petals and fruits of wild roses are also in demand in the food industry. They make jam, compotes, and liquors. These products are especially popular in the French provinces of Lorraine and Alsace. Also, the plant is an indispensable raw material for the manufacture of rose oil, which is widely used in cosmetology. Today, for essential oil purposes, culture is cultivated in India, Iran, Yugoslavia, Florida (USA), Bulgaria, Greece, Spain, China, Korea, Japan, Afghanistan, and Iraq. Moldova, Russia, Georgia.

According to experts, rose oil is the most expensive product in its market segment. Its content in rosehip petals does not exceed 0.15%, and the factory yield is about 0.06%. In order to get 1 liter of finished oil, the plant will need to process more than 3 thousand kg of raw materials. One of the most important secondary products in the distillation of essential oils is a specific liquid called rose water.

It is used as the basis for branded cosmetics, which is famous for its naturalness.

Also, a fragrant product is part of expensive distillery and confectionery. Famous all over the world, French perfume houses also use rose water. In addition, many countries practice the processing of rosehip seeds to extract valuable oil, which is one of the most important ingredients in the production of drying oil.

In medicine

The medicinal effect is possessed by all parts of the plant. In practice, they are used by both traditional and official medicine. For example, multivitamin, bactericidal, immunostimulating drugs are made from fruits. Syrups, tablets and dragees based on this raw material are primarily intended for the treatment and prevention of diseases associated with vitamin deficiency, anemia, as well as exhaustion.

Did you know? In the rosehip berries, ascorbic acid is 50 times more than in lemons.

People’s healers advise to make decoctions, teas and infusions from berries to restore the body with scarlet fever, typhoid, tuberculosis, intestinal and gastric diseases . In addition, traditional medicine intensively uses rose essential oil to eliminate burns, dermatitis and skin ulcers. In modern pharmaceuticals, there are many drugs based on this valuable plant material.

Urologists advise rosehip decoctions for urolithiasis, but they warn that improper drinking can cause complications.

Among them:

  • "Ascorbic acid" (made from cinnamon, needle and Daurian species);
  • "Halascorbin" (anti-burn and anti-inflammatory agent, obtained by the interaction of gallic and ascorbic acids);
  • " Carotoline " (recommended for the treatment of trophic ulcers, eczema, based on the fruit pulp of wild rose);
  • " Holosas " (contains a condensed extract of rosehip berries, helps with hepatitis and cholecystitis).

You will be interested to learn how to plant a rose, rosehip on a dogrose.

In food

Rose hips have a specific sour-tart taste. It was opened by eyewitnesses of the Ice Age, and modern peoples have not lost their attachment to culture. Many traditional cuisines of the world use wild rose berries, petals, branches, and foliage. In the Caucasus, young shoots and leaves are used as vegetables. They are added to soups, stews, salads.

Also in many countries, wild rose is an essential ingredient in home winemaking. From its petals, tasty jam and pie filling are obtained. In Slovenia, wild rose is used to make the popular Cockta soft drink.

For example, the Chinese often add flower petals to jelly, kvass, compote and sweets.

Useful properties of rose hips

  • With regular consumption, rosehip has a beneficial effect on a person, it consists in:
  • supplying blood with vital vitamins and minerals (recommended for anemia and physical exhaustion);
  • stimulation of immunity;
  • restorative effect;
  • removal of inflammatory processes (helps with colds, respiratory dysfunction);
  • diuretic and choleretic effect (for this purpose even the roots of the plant are used);
  • strengthening vessels and tissue regeneration (prescribed for atherosclerosis);
  • improving metabolism;
  • tonic effect.

Hazardous properties of rose hips

Despite a wide range of medicinal properties, wild rose can be harmful if used improperly. Sometimes a cup of herbal tea is enough to worsen one's health. Therefore, before using this product in food, you should familiarize yourself with possible contraindications.

Important! Before starting treatment with rose hip, be sure to consult a doctor, specifying the appropriateness of these measures and the recommended dosage, as well as the duration of the course.

It is strictly forbidden to consume any part of the rosehip to people who are diagnosed with ascorbic acid hypervitaminosis, digestive tract ulcers, hyperacid gastritis, and increased acidity of gastric juice.

  • Uncontrolled consumption of plant materials can lead to:
  • malfunctioning of the liver and provoke jaundice;
  • destruction of tooth enamel (for prevention, dentists recommend drinking rosehip drinks through a straw and then rinse the oral cavity with clean water);
  • disturbances in the circulatory system (as a complication, the development of tachycardia, increased blood coagulation is not excluded).

Classification

Rosehip can be found in every corner of the world. And despite belonging to a common genus, all types of plants are individual. It is easy to judge this by comparing the bushes of a common wild rose in our area and, for example, in France. A culture growing in rainforests has adapted to the constant deficit of the sun and, as a result of evolution, has gradually turned into a vine. Therefore, you will not see drooping or upright shrubs in the French provinces. The local rosehip has flexible long branches that are woven into the crowns of trees in order to reach the desired light.

For example, the Chinese often add flower petals to jelly, kvass, compote and sweets.

Systematic nerds of the world are still debating the number of calculated species of this culture. Some insist on 500, others are convinced of the number 300, and still others are trying to prove to everyone the presence of 400 species and 25 thousand varieties. In the 21st century, a lot of scientific works were written about the dogrose, the characteristics of the genus, subspecies were investigated, but there are still contradictions on the system of Rosaceae. It is known that in the territory of the former Soviet Union there are about 200 wild species.

Contemporaries divide the genus into 4 subgenera:

  • Hulthemia;
  • Hesperhodos;
  • Platyrhodon;
  • Rosa (Very extensive, contains 10 sections, 135 species. The most studied are the sections Gallicanae and Cinnamomeae because of their economic value, since the first one contains essential oil, and the second contains vitamins).

Rosehip lifespan

In the wild, most species of wild rose grows strongly, forming dense prickly thickets. The life cycle of such a thicket is constantly rejuvenated due to the ability of the root system to form new turions (vegetative shoots that form on long rhizomes). Therefore, it is almost impossible to calculate the life span of a particular bush in a prickly biomass. In the history of wild roses there are specimens that have been able to bear fruit for centuries. But cultivated rosehip varieties can develop only up to 30-50 years.

Important! For drying, large berries with protruding sepals are recommended. If their edges are firmly pressed to the peel, the collection is started too early - the dogrose needs time for better ripening .

Diseases and Pests

The presence of thorns does not deter harmful insects from fragrant bushes. The plant is vulnerable to attacks:

  • bronzovok;
  • rose flies;
  • sawyers;
  • weevils;
  • May bug larvae;
  • caterpillars
  • spider mites;
  • aphids;
  • leaflet.

Affected shrubs are visible from afar due to their lifelessness and lack of harvest. If nothing is done, then the pests will very soon destroy the foliage and young shoots, after which they will get to the root system. При сильных повреждениях и замедлении циркуляции сока культура начнёт увядать и гибнуть.

К тому же паразитирующие насекомые всегда являются надёжными проводниками грибковых и бактериальных инфекций.

Чаще всего дикая роза страдает от:

  • powdery mildew ;

  • ржавчины ;

  • пятнистости (черной и белой) .

Чтобы своевременно заменить любую патологию на садовом кусте, достаточно периодически его осматривать, а также анализировать интенсивность роста. У здоровых экземпляров побеги и листья должны быть чистыми, без деформаций и налёта. В случае обнаружения вредителей требуется немедленное опрыскивание раствором из любого инсектицида (« Актара », « Актеллик », Карбофос »).

В профилактических целях не лишним будет ежегодная (осенняя или весенняя) обрезка с полной ликвидацией больных, старых и сухих веток. Также вредоносных насекомых остановит удаление опавшей листвы в саду и вскапывание грунта в приствольных кругах. Эти мероприятия лишат паразитов зимнего убежища.

Грибковые и бактериальные заражения лечат раствором медного купороса (3%) и фунгицидами (« Скор », « Топаз », « Фундазол », Нитрофен »). Профилактическая обработка показана весной до распускания почек. Все кропления в саду желательно проводить за месяц до начала созревания ягод.

Шиповник является уникальным природным наследием, доставшимся от наших древних предков. За его колючими шипами прячется нежное ароматное цветение и витаминно-ягодное изобилие. В тёплый сезон на окультуренный куст приятно смотреть из-за его декоративности, а в холодный он отблагодарит полезным урожаем.

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