Sweet briar

Briar rose fruits - Photo by John Tann

Rose hips of sweet briar can be used to make marmalade.

The term ‘rose hip’ is used for fruits of rose plants.

Names

Scientific
   Rosa rubiginosa
Synonym
   Rosa eglanteria
English
   Eglantine rose
   Rose hip
   Sweet briar
Dutch
   Egelantier
   Rozenbottel
   Wilde wijnroos
Spanish
   Mosqueta
   Rosa mosqueta
French
   Rosier rubigineux
German
   Apfel-Rose
   Wein-Rose
   Zaun-Rose

Taxonomy

Genus
   Rosa
Family
   Rosaceae
Order
   Rosales

Basic information and facts

Origin:

Sweet briar originates from Europe and western Asia.

Distribution:

Evergreen or deciduous:

It’s a deciduous plant.

Grows as a shrub with stems that bear many hooked prickles.

Flowers:

The flowers usually grow in clusers of 2 to 7 flowers together. They have a diameter of 2 to 3 cm diameter, with five pink petals with a white base. The stamens are yellow.

Leaves:

Fruits:

The red fruits are called rose hips. They are globose to oblong with a diameter of 1 to 2 centimeters.

Climate and weather:

Temperate climate

Height:

Can be 2 to 3 meters tall.

Uses:

Sweet briar is grown as an ornamental plant. The rose hips are used to make tea or can be used to make jam or wine. They have a high Vitamin C content. Flowers are scented and can be used to produce natural flower water.