Rosa cymosa
Tratt.
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(c) 羅元甫, some rights reserved (CC BY-NC)
Summary
Source: WikipediaRosa cymosa is a species of climbing rose native to China, where it grows from the east coast in Fujian to western Sichuan at up to 1300 m, in warm areas in scrub and gorges, and in bamboo plantations. It is sometimes called the elderflower rose as its flower formation resembles elderberry (Sambucus) flowers. Rosa cymosa has long smooth or hairy stems to 5 m, with a few, hooked thorns. Shoots and leaves are bright red when young. The leaflets are narrowly lanceolate, rounded at the base, and acuminate with a slender, curved point. Stipules are narrow and not attached to the stalk, or soon falling. The pedicels are slender. Flowers small and numerous, in a compound umbel or corymb, creamy-white, 1–1.5 cm across. The hips very small and round, around 5 mm across, and are dull or scarlet-red in color with many small seeds. Rather tender, probably best grown in a greenhouse or conservatory in frosty climates. Flowers in late May and early June.
Description
A shrub. It keeps its leaves throughout the year. It can be climbing. It grows 2-5 m tall. It has scattered prickles. The leaves are 5-10 cm long. There are 3-5 leaflets. These are oval and 3-6 cm long by 1-3 cm wide. There are many flowers 2-2.5 cm across. The fruit or hips are red, black or purple and 4-7 mm across.
Edible Uses
The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and measures about 7mm in diameter, with only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds. Care should be taken when eating the fruit due to known hazards. The seeds are a good source of vitamin E and can be ground and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement; seed hairs must be removed before use.
Medicinal Uses
The leaves, fruits, and roots are antirheumatic, diuretic, and purgative. A decoction is used in the treatment of arthritis, boils, productive coughs, and blood in the urine. The fruit is also a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids, and other bio-active compounds, and is 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
It is a subtropical plant. In Sichuan and Yunnan.
Where It Grows
Asia, China, Indochina, Laos, SE Asia, Taiwan, Vietnam,
Cultivation
Succeeds in most soils, preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils. Plants are hardy to about -10°c. 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. Closely related to R. banksiae. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus.
Propagation
Rose seed often takes two years to germinate, as it may require a warm period following a cold spell to mature the embryo and break down the seedcoat. One way to reduce this time is to scarify the seed and place it for 2–3 weeks in damp peat at 27–32°c until it has imbibed, then keep it at 3°c for the following 4 months, by which time germination should begin. Seed harvested green — fully developed but before drying on the plant — and sown immediately may germinate in late winter, though this method had not been fully tested as of 1988. Seed sown fresh in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring but may take 18 months. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c; it may still take 2 years to germinate. Prick out seedlings into individual pots when large enough to handle. Plant out in summer if plants exceed 25cm, 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 give a high success rate; overwinter in the frame and plant out in late spring. Mature cuttings of the current season's growth, selected as pencil-thick shoots around 20–25cm long in early autumn, can be planted in a sheltered spot outdoors or in a cold frame; they take up to 12 months to establish but succeed at a high rate. Suckers can be divided during dormancy and planted directly into permanent positions. Layering takes 12 months.
Other Uses
None known.
Notes
There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.
Synonyms
Also Known As
Hong roi, Tamxuan
References (4)
- Altschul, S.V.R., 1973, Drugs and Foods from Little-known Plants. Notes in Harvard University Herbaria. Harvard Univ. Press. Massachusetts. no. 1449
- Flora of China @ efloras.org Volume 9
- Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/
- Rosacearum monographia 1:87. 1823
