Commercial roses are a frequent treat that have been bred constantly with some alterations to produce genetic variations. However, wild roses are a bit different. They are holarctic species which has seen ages without facing any purposeful alteration.
Wild rose is a deciduous shrub with long leaves and pink hermaphrodite flowers with five petals and plenty of stamens. It belongs to the family Rosaceae and can be approximately 9 feet tall. Other names associated with wild rose are prickly rose, prickly wild rose, bristly rose, and arctic rose. It possesses spines in its defensive arsenal against herbivory which harden with as the plant ages. Wild rose is a perennial that form a long, dense network of roots that can reach as far as 4.5 feet in the soil.
The sweet citrusy taste of the hips makes it favorite among the gourmets. The only thing that people need to watch out for is the fine hair on the seed that can cause mouth irritation and digestive problems.
Medicinally, wild rose teas and tonics can treat sore muscles, diarrhea, cold, flu, bee stings, and burns. It was anciently used to treat sorer throat, stomachache, and ease the process of childbirth.