Rosa arkansana

Rosa arkansana, the prairie rose or wild prairie rose, is a species of rose native to a large area of central North America, between the Appalachian and Rocky Mountains from Alberta, Manitoba, and Saskatchewan south to New Mexico, Texas and Indiana. There are two varieties: Rosa arkansana var. arkansana Rosa arkansana var. suffulta (Greene) Cockerell The name Rosa arkansana comes from the Arkansas River in Colorado. The species' wide distribution and consequent genetic drift has led to an extensive synonymy. It is a perennial subshrub and its native habitats include prairies, roadsides, and ditches. The plant attracts butterflies and birds. The name prairie rose is also sometimes applied to Rosa blanda, also known as the meadow rose or smooth rose, which is also widely spread, but somewhat further to the north.

Description

A small suckering shrub. The branches are erect. It has many bristles. The leaves are shiny green. The flowers occur singly and are pink to red. The fruit are small round red hips.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked, and is also used for making syrups, jams, and tea — the tea made from the fruit has a sweet flavour. The fruit is about 15mm in diameter with only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds; care should be taken when eating it (see known hazards). The flowers, fruits, roots, stem, and bark can all be used to make tea. The seeds are a good source of vitamin E and can be ground and mixed with flour or added to foods as a supplement; be sure to remove the seed hairs first. The fruit is rich in vitamin C.

Traditional Uses

The fruit are eaten raw. They are also stewed, dried and used for jellies and syrups. The young shoots can be peeled and eaten. The flowers, roots, fruit, stem, bark and petals are all used for tea.

Medicinal Uses

The root is haemostatic, stimulant, and tonic. A compound decoction of the root has been used to treat bleeding wounds, fits, and convulsions, and has also been applied to eye complaints. The fruit is a very rich source of vitamins A, C, and E, flavonoids, and other bio-active compounds, and is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated for its potential to reduce the incidence of cancer and to halt or reverse cancer growth.

Known Hazards

There is a layer of hairs around the seeds just beneath the flesh of the fruit. These hairs can cause irritation to the mouth and digestive tract if ingested.

Distribution

A temperate plant. It is native to central USA. It suits hardiness zones 4-9.

Where It Grows

Australia, Canada, North America, Slovenia, USA,

Cultivation

Succeeds in most soils, preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position. Prefers a slightly acid soil. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation. Grows badly with boxwood. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants produce suckers. Closely related to R. aciculare. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.

Propagation

Rose seed often takes two years to germinate, as it may need a warm period following a cold one to mature the embryo and soften the seedcoat. To speed this up, scarify the seed and place it in damp peat at 27–32°c for 2–3 weeks until imbibed, then hold at 3°c for four months, by which time germination should begin. Alternatively, seed harvested green — fully developed but not yet dried on the plant — and sown immediately may germinate in late winter, though this method had not been fully tested as of 1988. Seed sown as soon as ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring, but may take 18 months. Stored seed should be sown as early as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c; germination may still take 2 years. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. Plant out in summer if over 25cm tall; otherwise overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring. Half-ripe cuttings with a heel taken in July in a shaded frame, overwintered and planted out in late spring, give a high success rate. Hardwood cuttings of pencil-thick shoots, 20–25cm long, taken in early autumn and planted in a sheltered spot outdoors or in a cold frame, take up to 12 months to establish but normally succeed at a high rate. Suckers can be divided and replanted directly in their permanent positions during the dormant season. Layering takes 12 months.

Other Uses

The petals have been used as a perfume for hair oil.

Notes

There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties. Fruit are rich in Vitamin C.

Synonyms

References (10)

• Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 1213
• Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 206
• Fisk, J. R. & Hoover, E., 2015, Wild Fruits of Minnesota. A Field Guide. University of Minnesota p 29
• http://www.botanic-gardens-ljubljana.com/en/plants
• MacKinnon, A., et al, 2009, Edible & Medicinal Plants of Canada. Lone Pine. p 84

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