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Upcoming Events | Meet the Instructors | Plant Archive | Mushroom Archive
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Beach rose (Rosa rugosa) is an invasive plant from Asia that was brought to the U.S. as an ornamental. It is salt tolerant so is often found near beaches.
Beach roses have wrinkled, compound leaves with 5-9 leaflets. The canes have short, straight prickles. In late summer, flowers turn into rose hips that resemble tomatoes.
Rose hips are ripe when they are bright red. They contain hairy seeds which must be removed before consumption. Hips can be enjoyed raw or turned into syrup, wine, vinegar, or jam.
Flowers can be collected when they are in bloom for rose water, jelly, or as a garnish.
Rose leaves can be collected throughout the year to make tea.
Rose hips are extremely high in vitamin C. They also have antioxidants and anti-inflammatory properties. The flowers have been used medicinally to treat irregular menstruation and gastritis.
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Written by Amy Demers, founder of the Connecticut Foraging Club. To learn more about foraging in Connecticut, check out our upcoming classes.
