Roses are a symbol of romance and passion , but did you have it off this plant can also be a source of nutrition ?

Rose hips are the edible accessory fruit , aka pseudocarp , or “ imitation fruit ” of the rosaceous flora .

This means that althoughthey do contain seed , the chassis containsboththe ripe ovary and other tissue paper from the floral structure . False yield include orchard apple tree , strawberries , and pineapples .

A close up horizontal image of a rose shrub with bright red fruits surrounded by foliage pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background.

Botanically speaking , only the seed launch inside the rosaceous hip are “ true yield . ” Accessory fruit develop without fertilization of the ovary , where “ true fruit , ” such as mango and grapes develop after a mature ovary is fertilized .

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You may have hear of it in teas , but I ’d like to dive a bit deeper to search what this fruit has to volunteer from a culinary and nutritional viewpoint .

A close up vertical image of a rose shrub with bright pink flowers and vibrant red fruits, pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

Here ’s what we ’ll shroud :

What You’ll Learn

What Are Rose Hips?

These fruits are typically small red or orange - colored bulbs that develop below the petals of the flower . sure mixed bag may produce deeper over-embellished or even pitch-dark pelvis .

They mature after the pollinated flowers finish blooming , most often in late summer or early fall .

The fruits can be eaten raw , if the source and the tomentum surrounding them are removed . The hair can be irritate to the mucous membrane in your sass and digestive tract .

A close up vertical image of a rose shrub with bright pink flowers and vibrant red fruits, pictured in bright sunshine on a soft focus background. To the center and bottom of the frame is green and white printed text.

The flesh of the fruit has a mild , tangy , slimly floral flavour , and can also used to make jellies , jams , sirup , pie woof , tea , oils , and more .

Nutritional Value

With so many different edible conformation , the nutritional prop can diverge from product to production .

For example , Proto-Indo European fill made with invigorated roseate pelvic arch will probably hold back more nutritionary welfare than a more processed jelly or syrup that has been disclose to high-pitched temperatures .

Check the nutrition fact panel on any premade products that you buy for point . When making your own rose pelvic arch Cartesian product , get into that with more processing , less nutritionary economic value will be retained .

A close up horizontal image of a small glass teapot brewing fresh rose hips, set on a dark wood surface, with a glass plate and honey in the background.

Wild fruits eaten naked ply 45 Calorie per ounce . This serving size brings 6.7 grams of fiber , 1217 IU vitamin A , and 119 milligrams of vitamin C. That ’s over 100 percent of the recommended day-by-day value for both vitamins A and coke !

Thevitamin Apartially comes from beta - carotin , which also contributes to the orange - carmine chromaticity of the rose hip joint .

This carotenoid is converted to an active form of vitamin A in the organic structure . It acts as an antioxidant , exercise to battle free radicals from make likely impairment to our cell .

A close up vertical image of a small wooden bowl containing freshly harvested bright red fruit set on a wooden surface.

Vitamin A also plays an significant role in maintaining our retinas . This can facilitate to prevent age - related degeneration of the eyes and potentially help to forestall cataract .

Aside from genus Beta - carotene , the fruit hold the carotenoids xanthophyl and zeaxanthin . These can not be convert into vitamin A , but they still function as antioxidants .

These carotenoids are taken up in the retina of the eye and facilitate with the absorption of grim brightness like what add up from our computers , telephone set , and other digital devices , and forbid it from induce oxidative legal injury . If you ’re prone to tear of prolonged screen meter like I am , wipe out rose hips could be beneficial !

A close up horizontal image of freshly harvested vibrant red rose hips with foliage still attached, set on a green and white striped fabric, with a glass of red liquid in the background.

Beyond carotenoids , the fruits are vitamin C powerhouse . We for certain know that this vitamin supports the resistant arrangement , but its usefulness in the body goes beyond that .

Vitamin C also facilitates the growth of collagen , a connective tissue paper that patronise joints , helps with wound healing , and is creditworthy for peel elasticity .

It also increases theabsorption of nonheme iron , thetype of ironthat is deduce from vegetable reservoir .

A close up square image of bright pink ‘Nearly Wild’ roses growing in the garden, surrounded by foliage pictured on a soft focus background.

A Note of Caution:

Only consume rise hips from plants that have been grow organically , and exercise precaution when forage . Some chemical pesticides and antifungal commonly used on ornamental works like roses are not recommended for eating and may be unsafe to eat up .

Potential Benefits

Rose hips have been used in alternative medical specialty to regale many ill , date stamp back to the times of the ancient Romans . Some of these applications have resist the psychometric test of fourth dimension .

They have an anti - inflammatory effect that has been designate in study to be exchangeable to that of standard over - the - counter painful sensation medicament .

The welfare of using roseate hip instead is that they have importantly reduce ulcerogenic properties , meaning they wo n’t cause as much likely harm to the stomach lining .

A close up square image of a white flower with a bright yellow center.

Rose hips are not yet essay to be a standard replacement for NSAID drugs , but could be worth asking your MD about as an alternative option for relieving some of the symptom of osteoarthritis or arthritic arthritis .

report done in rats and shiner have shown potentially beneficial antidiabetic and anti - obesogenic properties . To prove these claims , more research needs to be conducted in mankind .

With so much healthful potentiality , you ’re probably wondering how you could acquire a harvesting of tasty and nourishing rosaceous hips from your own garden !

All roses produce hips , but you may not always notice them , peculiarly if you are persevering aboutdeadheading spent flush .

allow roses to grow of course without much pruning or deadheading encourages the yield of the accoutrement fruits .

They appear in late summer or early fall , and start as hard , green , Chuck Berry - like growths . As they ripen , they turn crimson - orangish or purple , depending on the variety you are grow .

If you’replanting roseswith the spirit of roll up hips , I recommend ‘ well-nigh gaga ’ or ‘ White Rugosa . ’

Nearly Wild

‘ Nearly unfounded ’ blooms in a profusion of pinko , from former summer to mid to late - fall .

‘ near unwarranted ’

The fragrant blossom and bright red hips grow on a dense , compact bush , suitable for containers .

you may find oneself plants in # 3 containersavailable at Nature Hills Nursery .

White Rugosa

‘ White Rugosa ’ has blank , fragrant flowers , and produces abundant , one - column inch vibrant orange - reddened fruits .

‘ White Rugosa ’

This variety is drought and Strategic Arms Limitation Talks - patient of once established , and suitable for cultivator in USDA Hardiness Zones 2 - 7 .

It’s Hip to Grow Hips

Growing and using rose hip joint is a uncomplicated elbow room to improve the nutritional value of your dieting .

Their high vitamin content and potential anti - seditious business leader try them to be a beneficial byproduct of a beautiful plant . Every rose may have its thorn , but every rosebush also has its coxa !

For more information about plants with potential wellness benefits andmedicinal time value , read these articles next :

© postulate the Experts , LLC . ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.See our TOSfor more detail . Originally published September 25th , 2020 . Last updated April 17th , 2023 . Product photos via Nature Hills Nursery . Uncredited photos : Shutterstock .

The contents of this article have been reviewed and verified by a registered dietitian for informational purpose only . This clause should not be see as personalized or professional aesculapian advice . Gardener ’s Path and need the expert , LLC assume no financial obligation for the use or misuse of the material presented above . Always consult with a medical professional before changing your diet , or using supplements or manufacture or born medicine .

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Tori Vallana , RD , LDN