Dog-rose Flower

Dog-rose is a wild species of rose western Asia growing naturally in hedgerows, woodlands, and along roadsides where it forms sprawling, arching shrubs with prickly stems and delicate pink to pale white five-petaled flowers that bloom in late spring and early summer. The plant can reach heights of 1 to 3 meters and its stems are armed with curved thorns that help it climb over other vegetation while its leaves are pinnate with 5 to 7 leaflets giving it a classic rose-like appearance.

The flowers are simple but elegant with a sweet scent that attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies and after pollination the plant produces oval red fruits known as rose hips in autumn which are highly valued for their high vitamin C content and used traditionally in syrups, jams, herbal teas, and natural remedies for colds and immune support.

In folklore and herbal medicine dog-rose has long been used for its anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties with preparations made from the hips used to treat ailments such as arthritis, kidney disorders, and digestive issues while the petals and leaves have been applied topically to soothe skin irritations. During World War II in Britain dog-rose rose hips were collected in large quantities as a substitute for citrus fruits to prevent scurvy due to wartime shortages making it an important plant in historical public health efforts.