Rosehips
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The rose hip, also called the rose haw, is the pomaceous fruit of the rose plant. It is typically red to orange but may be dark purple to black in some species.
Rose hips of some species, especially Rosa canina (Dog Rose), have been used as a source of Vitamin C. Rose hips are commonly used as an herbal tea, often blended with hibiscus and as an oil. They can also be used to make jam, jelly and marmalade. Rose hip soup is especially popular in Sweden. Rhodomel, a type of mead, is made with rose hips.
Rose hips are used for the creation of herbal tea, jam, jelly, syrup, beverages, pies, bread and marmalade, amongst others.
A few rose species are sometimes grown for the ornamental value of their hips; such as Rosa moyesii, which has prominent large red bottle-shaped fruits.
Rose hips have recently become popular as a healthy treat for pet chinchillas. Chinchillas are unable to manufacture their own Vitamin C, but lack the proper internal organs to process a variety of foods. Rose Hips provide a sugar free, safe way to increase the Vitamin C intake of chinchillas.
The fine hairs found inside rose hips can be used as itching powder.
Roses may be propagated from hips by removing the seeds from the aril (the outer coating) and sowing just beneath the surface of the soil. Placed in a cold frame or a greenhouse, the seeds take at least three months to germinate.
