Rosa multiflora – Multiflora Rose

Multiflora rose is found in open woodlands, forest edges, fields, and margins of marshes.

All roses have edible leaves and fruits (hips). Roses have compound leaves with an odd number of leaflets. The thorns are long and curved. Multiflora rose produces small, white flowers in the summer which become small red hips in the fall. The hips can persist on the plant through winter.

Early spring is the best time to collect leaves of the multiflora rose plant. Leaves are edible raw. They can be added to salads or dried and added to herbal tea blends.

Rose flowers can be collected in the summer to add to salads or turned into jelly.

Hips can be collected fall through winter to turn into wine, tea, syrup, or infuse in vinegar. Rose hips are high in vitamin C and carotene. The seeds are a rich source of vitamin E.

--
Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.