Hedgehog Rose

Hedgehog Rose
A genus consisting of about 150 species of deciduous and semi-evergreen shrubs and climbers, widespread in northern temperate regions. The cultivation of roses dates back thousands of years. In many cases, the origins and correct names or roses are extremely difficult to elucidate. It is thought that Rosa gallica var. officinalis is descended from the S European R. rubra, and was named in the 13th century when it spread into Gaul (present day France). In the 14th century, R. x damascena known as ('Summer Damask' n the USA) was brought from Persia by knights returning from the Crusades. Rosa rugosa and R. laevigata are both of Asian origin. Roses have been important since earliest times in ritual, cosmetic, perfumes, and medicines. Various kinds were used medicinally by the ancient Greeks, Romans, Persians; in CE77 Pliny recorded 32 different disorders that responded well to treatment by rose preparations. Rosa gallica var. officinalis and R. x damascena were widely grown in medieval times for medicinal purposes. Rosa laevigata was first mentioned in Chinese medical literature about CE470, and probably reached the USA via the East India Company in 1759; as the Cherokee rose it later became the state flower of Georgia. Rosa rugosa is used to a lesser extent in Chinese medicine and is fairly recent, being first mentioned in Food as Materia Medica during the Ming dynasty (CE1368-1644); it reached Europe, the USA, and Australia during the 19th century from its homelands in Japan and N China. Red rose petals were listed in the British Pharmacopoeia until the 1930s as an astringent and flavoring for medicines. Rose oil, or attar (otto) of roses, is a steam-distilled, clear essential oil consisting of beta-damascenone, which gives the typical rose fragrance; its constituents include citronellol, and insecticidal, anti-rheumatic compound which is isolated commercially (but mainly from Pelargonium spp. See, Wild Rose Geranium) for use in rose-scented perfumes, cosmetics, and soap. The essential oil was originally extracted by macerating rose petals in oil or molten fat. In the 16th century, Persian chemists produced a superior oil by distillation. Genuine rose oil is a costly commodity, taking 0.98 tons of petals to produce 300g (11oz) of oil; for this reason, it is now largely synthesized. Rose absolute is a solvent-extract, yellow-orange essential oil, widely used in perfumery. Rose leaf oil is also used. Some 96 percen of women's perfumes and 42 percent of men's fragrances contain rose oil, putting it on par with jasmine in popularity. Rose oil also predominates in the anointing oil used in the coronation of British monarchs. Rose water was first produced by a Persian physician, Avicenna, in the 1st century CE. "Cold cream" was originally known as "ointment of rose water", because it contained rose water and rose oil. Several different roses are traditionally grown for essential oil and rose water, including R. x centifolia (Provence Rose, Rose de Mai, 'Cabbage Rose'), R. x damascena, R. gallica, and variants of R.x alba, though any strongly scented rose can be used. Bulgarian rose attar is mainly from R. x alba and R. x damascena. The Kazanlik rose, R. x damascena 'Trigintipetala', is outstandingly fragrant but the true cultivar is rarely seen; R. 'Professeur Emile Perrot' is very similar and widely cultivated. Rose hips contain large amounts of vitamins, notably vitamin C; one cup of rose-hip pulp contains as much vitamin C as 40 oranges. Toward the end of World War II, when citrus fruits were unavailable, 120-450 tons of rose hips were harvested from the wild in Britain each year to make rose-hip syrup as a vitamin C supplement for children.

Vigorous, dense, deciduous shrub with very prickly stems and deeply veined leaves, divided into 7-9, rarely 11, narrowly oblong leaflets, 2.5-5cm (1-2in) long. Single, fragrant, magenta-pink flowers, 8cm (3in) across, appear in summer, followed by globose, tomato-like red hips, to 2.5cm (1in) long, that have a conspicuous crown of sepals.

Common Name:

Hedgehog Rose

Other Names:

Japanese Rose, Ramanas Rose, Tomato Rose

Botanical Name:

Rosa Rugosa

Genus:

Rosa

Family:

Rosaceae

Native Location:

E Russia, N China, Japan and Korea

Cultivation:

Well-drained, moist, rich neutral to slightly acid soil (including clay) in sun. Rosa rubiginosa enjoys dry, calcareous conditions; R. laevigata thrives in poor soils, R. rugosa tolerates dry, sandy or coastal conditions. Remove dead and damaged wood, and prune lightly in early winter, removing weak growths. Most species and old roses flower on the previous year's growth and should not be cut back hard. Rose hips, especially of R. rugosa, may be damaged by birds. Leaves may be damaged by blackspot, downy mildew, rust, viruses, and sawfly. Buds and flowers are prone to attack by aphids.

Propagation:

By seed sown in autumn (species only); by budding in summer; by hardwood cuttings in autumn.

Harvest:

Petals are collected when flowers first open and distilled for oil and rose water, used fresh for syrups, crushed into pastes, or dried for use in decoctions. Fruits are picked when ripe and used fresh or dried in decoctions, or made into syrups and candy. Seeds (R. rubiginosa) from ripe fruits are processed commercially for oil extraction.

Height:

1-2.5m (3-8ft)

Width:

1-2.5m (3-8ft)

Warning:

Hips and seeds contain irritant hairs. R. canina and R. rubiginosa are subject to statuatory control as weeds in some countries, notably in parts of Australia and the USA.

Variants:

Alba
Has single, white flowers, 9cm (3½in) across, opening from pink-flushed buds.

Rubra
Has purple-pink flowers.

Hardiness:

Z2-8

Parts Used:

Flowers (mei gui hua), petals, fruits.

Properties:

An aromatic, tonic herb that stimulates the liver, improves circulation, and acts as an antidote in antimony poisoning (flowers).

Medicinal Uses:

Internally for poor appetits and digestion, and menstrual complaints arising from constrained liver energy (flowers). Combined with Leonurus cardiaca (See, Motherwort) or L. sibiricus (See, Chinese Motherwort) for heavy menstruation.

Culinary Uses:

Petals are crystalized, made into jams, syrup, and spirit (mei kuei lu), and used to make rose congou tea. Fruits are made into puree, jam, jelly, wine, soup, and tea.

Economic Uses:

Fruits are an important source of vitamin C and flavonoids for food supplements, especially in the USA.

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