Foraging - Rose Hips

[Farmer_Gyles]

I've seen loads of what look like wild rosehips - lots of different sizes - some orange, some red

The rose hip shape is easy to spot - but just to be sure, is there anything that looks like rose hip but isn't?

Some red berry pics and info here:http://www.countrylovers.co.uk/wfs/wfsberries.htm

[veggiechicken]

Don't just look at the berries, check on the leaves and look for thorns!

[Nicos]

Interesting site FG!

[Farmer_Gyles]

are you saying if it looks like rose hip and has thorns, then it is rose hipe, but if it doesn't have thorns then it isn't??

[Nicos]

Ah- now that's where all this amateur plant ID gets confusing!
Yup- there are thornless wild roses too!

North Country Reflections » A thorn-less wild rose

[rustylady]

Ah- now that's where all this amateur plant ID gets confusing!
Yup- there are thornless wild roses too!

North Country Reflections » A thorn-less wild rose

But that is an American site - I wonder if they grow here too.

[veggiechicken]

are you saying if it looks like rose hip and has thorns, then it is rose hipe, but if it doesn't have thorns then it isn't??

Nope, but if it has hips, thorns and the right leaves the odds are that they are rose hips! That's why its always best to identify your foraging spots throughout the year - then you would have seen the flowers as well and that would clinch it - until Nicos comes along
Fortunately, the thornless Rosa Blanda seems to be a native of the US and may not (but who can be sure) grow in the wild in the UK!

[Nicos]

But that is an American site - I wonder if they grow here too.

That's the thing isn't it?...most probably not , but with 'invasive species' on the up with all this global travel ...then I'm sure it could suvive somewhere in the UK/Europe!

[Farmer_Gyles]

Nope, but if it has hips, thorns and the right leaves the odds are that they are rose hips! That's why its always best to identify your foraging spots throughout the year - then you would have seen the flowers as well and that would clinch it

i knew rose hips could be used for rose hip syrup, but only just found out they could be used for jams and wines too, hence only mentioning it now ....

[veggiechicken]

I've never used them for anything - but I did grow up on Rosehip Syrup!! I believe they have lots of hairs inside so need straining well.

[OverWyreGrower]

I made apple and rosehip jelly last year, courtesy of a friend with a huge plant in her garden - we picked about 2kg from just one huge tree/bush/plant

[BigJim]

There's loads of rosa rugosa round here and I'd quite to make them into wine, but was told to wait till the first frost to pick them. Is this necessary and how you tell when they're ripe enough anyway?

[veggiechicken]

This website says that you should harvest them after the first frost. Some useful advice and recipes here too Cooking with Rose Hips - Rose Hips Recipes

[veggiechicken]

I picked these today from a local wild rose bush - but I think it is probably Rosa Rugosa as the hips are so big! It grows on the tidal river bank so may have grown from a bit of debris brought in on the tide. It still had flowers as well as rosehips, and many painful thorns!

[binley100]

I actually bought and planted some of my own Rosa Rugosa last year so I can be sure of what I'm picking .........no flowers this year tho' too small