dog rose

Rosa canina

• A scrambling shrub
   
• Long arching stems armed with curved thorns
   
• Produces beautiful pink or white flowers in summer
   
• Has striking red "rose-hips" in autumn
   

Where found

In woodland, hedgerows and on scrubland

Found throughout the UK, although more common in the south. Prefers heavy soils
 

When to look for

• First flowers in May and June
   
• Ripe fruit in September

Did you know

'Robin's pincushion', caused by the gall wasp Diplolepis rosae, is commonly found on Rosa canina.

The term ‘dog’ means ‘worthless’, presumably by comparison with cultivated roses.

The ancient Greeks believed that the roots of the dog rose could cure a person bitten by a mad dog - another possible explanation for the term 'dog' rose.

The long stems of the dog rose have hooked thorns which help them to climb and scramble over other shrubs.

The hips are high in vitamin C and were traditionally used to make a valuable syrup, especially in times of scarcity such as wartime.
 
The fine hairs found inside the hips used to be popular with children, who extracted them for use as 'itching powder'.