Dog Rose
Rosa canina
Photo taken by Calvin De Jong
Description
Height 1-5 m
Width 1-3 m
Leaves 4-6 cm
Flowers 3-6 cm
Seeds 1-2 mm
Fruit 1-3 cm
Dog rose is a deciduous shrub, the stems are typically reddish in color and are covered with small thorns that help it in climbing. The flowers are made up of five petals that are typically pink to reddish in color and can sometimes be found growing white flowers but this tends to be rare.
Distribution and habitat
The Dog Rose is a widespread shrub that can be found growing throughout most of the world. It likes to grow in grasslands, woodlands, farmlands, coastal areas and along roadsides. It can become an invasive species in some areas due to the seeds being easily dispersed by animals. Dog rose grows in a wide range of soils including, light sandy, loamy, heavy clay, it does and grows best in well-drained soils.
Elevation 10-1300 m
Soil well-drained, sandy, loam, and clay soils
pH 7-9
Zones 3-7
Sun full sun, partial shade, full shade
Uses & Benefits
The flesh from the rose hips has high levels of antioxidants, carotenoids, and ascorbic acid. Dog Roses fruit is well known for the high levels of vitamin C, B, and E. The flower petals can be used for perfume, popery, and cosmetics. One of the most impressive attributes of Dog rose is the extremely high levels of vitamin C found in the fruit (hips). Vitamin C helps build your immune system up, this can help protect your skin from outside pathogens and stimulate the production of white blood cells.
Parts Used:
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Flowers
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Fruit
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Seeds
One can also use Dog Rose to treat:
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Scurvy
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Help with heart disease
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Weight loss
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Protect against type 2 diabetes
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Reduce inflammation
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Skin conditions
Ways to use Dog Rose:
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Tea
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Lotions
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Tincture
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Tobacco
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Vinegar
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Rose water
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Jam
Calvin De Jong
Content Writer/Photographer
I am a naturalist from the Okanagan. My passions are taken photos of nature and foraging all its wonders.