Rose hips contain the rose's seeds and are the fruit of the rose plant. Because it is not often seen, most people aren't aware that roses have fruit. Either the dead flowers get pruned before the fruit forms or the types of roses that are found in most gardens are bred to not produce any fruit to emphasize the flowers. Nurseries usually grow roses from cuttings instead of seeds, so the hips are not typically needed.
Where the Hip Forms
The fruit of a rose is located at the base of the petals. Once the flower has been fertilized, the petals will fade and fall off, and the fruit will begin to swell. On roses that form hips, the complete rosebush is covered with tiny fruits during the fall season and frequently stay on the plant well into the winter months. Different rose species produce hips of different colors, shapes and sizes. Some are as big as small tomatoes while others are the size of peas. Colors can range from shades of orange to green and dark purple to mahogany and red. The fruits are usually round and hard, like small apples.
Best Hip Producers
Rosa rugosa is said the be the species of rose with the best tasting hips. It is also known for its healthy, easy-care constitution, wrinkled leaves and clove-scented flowers. Hips from a rugosa have a tangy, cranberry-like flavor. The hips that contain the most vitamin C are located on Rosa rugosa and Rosa canina. Geraniums are grown for decorative purposes as their hips are tomato-red. Most species of wild roses also produce hips.
Wild Medicine
In ancient times, roses were used for medical uses. In 77 A.D., Pliny recommended rose hips as a laxative and diuretic while American Indians used species found in the United States to treat urinary tract infections, diarrhea and influenza. According to the Vegetarianism and Vegetarian Nutrition website, rose hips contain phytochemicals, which have been known to protect against cardiovascular disease. They have also been used to treat osteoarthritis due to their anti-inflammatory properties.
Eating Rose Hips
According to the Native Foods web site, rose hips can be used in a variety of dishes, despite the fact that they are very sour. Rose hip jelly or jam is made from equal parts of sugar and rose hips to counteract the sour flavor. Rose hips can be made into tarts, pies, wine and soup, and added to breads, puddings, stews and apple sauce. They can be made into preserves, dried or used fresh. Rose hip tea is the best known use. The American Indians made the tea, then added butter and salt and served the boiled hips as a vegetable.
Preparation
If using rose hips for consumption, you should gather them after the first frost. The first frost improves their flavor and softens the hips. Trim off the ends, remove the seeds and slice the fruit in half. If making tea, boil up to eight hips for every cup of tea,. Add hibiscus flowers, sweeteners or mint to improve the flavor. Aluminum destroys Vitamin C, so don't use an aluminum pan when preparing the hips.
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