Rosa maracandica

Bunge

Samarkand rose

Rosaceae Edible: Fruit, Seeds Potential hazards — see below 35 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

A deciduous shrub with no specified mature size. Hermaphrodite flowers pollinated by bees. Tolerates light sandy, medium loamy, and heavy clay soils with preference for well-drained conditions. Grows in mildly acid, neutral, and basic soils. Adapts to semi-shade or full sun with moist soil preferred.

Description

A low growing shrub. It has vigorous branches. The bark is red brown on young branches and scaly on old branches. It has thorns. They are an extended triangle shape at the base. The leaves are compound with 7-9 leaflets. The leaves are 7-9 cm long. They are an oval or oblong shape. The flowers are golden yellow. They occur singly. They are 1.7-2.5 cm across. The fruit are round and 5-7 mm across. They are black or violet.

Edible Uses

The fruit can be eaten raw or cooked and is rich in vitamin C, though only a thin layer of flesh surrounds the many seeds. Care should be taken when eating the fruit regarding the 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 — be sure to remove the seed hairs before use.

Medicinal Uses

The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, particularly vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and as a means of halting or reversing 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. In Kazakhstan it grows on stony slopes in mid mountain regions.

Where It Grows

Asia, Central Asia, Kazakhstan,

Cultivation

We have very little information on this species and do not know if it will be hardy in Britain, though judging by its native range it should succeed outdoors in many parts of the country. The following notes are based on the general needs of the genus. Succeeds in most soils, preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position. 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 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 reduce 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 imbibed, then keep it at 3°c for the next 4 months until germination begins. Alternatively, green-harvested seed — fully developed but not yet dried on the plant — sown immediately may germinate in late winter, though this 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 as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c; it may take 2 years to germinate. Prick seedlings into individual pots when large enough, plant out in summer if over 25cm tall, or overwinter in a cold frame and plant out in late spring. Half-ripe heel cuttings taken in July in a shaded frame, overwintered and planted out in late spring, yield a high success rate. Pencil-thick mature cuttings of the current season's growth, 20–25cm long, taken in early autumn and placed in a sheltered spot or cold frame, take around 12 months to establish but normally succeed at a high rate. Suckers can be divided during dormancy and planted directly into permanent positions. Layering takes around 12 months.

Other Uses

None known.

Notes

There are about 150 Rosa species and many cultivated varieties.

References (3)

Beitr. Fl. Russl. 110.; Mem. Acad. Imp. Sci. St.-Petersbourg Divers Savans 7:286. 1852
Dzhangaliev, A. D., et al, 2003, The Wild Fruit and Nut Plants of Kazakhstan, Horticultural Reviews, Vol. 29. pp 305-371
Plants for a Future database, The Field, Penpol, Lostwithiel, Cornwall, PL22 0NG, UK. http://www.scs.leeds.ac.uk/pfaf/