How to Identify, Harvest, and Eat the Wrinkled Rose (Rosa rugosa)

Wild Edible Wednesday:  This Wild Edible Plant was once the source of ITCHING POWDER!

When I was a Boy Scout I ordered "itching powder" from the back of Boy's Life Magazine.  I had no idea at the time that it was the small hairs from inside the fruit of the Wrinkled Rose (Rosa rugosa).  Amazing!

This fascinating plant is not just the source of "itching powder" but also offers edible treasures waiting to be discovered. In this email, I'll guide you through identifying this species, share the edible parts, and even provide you with how I use it to make my favorite dressing!

Identification Guide for Rosa rugosa:

  • White to pink flowers with five petals

  • Large, fleshy fruit (hip) that ripens from green in spring to red in late summer and fall

  • Grows as a dense shrub/bush, reaching up to 6 feet in height

  • Odd-pinnate compound leaves with 5–9 oblong-ovate leaflets, each with toothed margins and a rough, wrinkled surface

  • Alternate leaf arrangement along branches

  • Large stipules (little wings) at the base of leaf petioles (stems) with pointed tips

  • Stems, especially upper parts, are covered in thorns/bristles

Edible Parts of Rosa rugosa:

  • Flower Petals: Enjoy them raw in salads, mix them in butter, or use them as a garnish.

  • Hips: These versatile fruits can be used to make sauces, teas, or consumed raw. However, be sure to remove irritating hairs and seeds from inside before use.  Did you know the Rose is related to the Apple???

Interesting Fact: Did you know that the hairs inside rose hips were once commercially harvested and sold as itching powder? This unique tidbit reminds us why it's essential to avoid ingesting those hairs!

Recipe: Rose Hip Vinegar (see photo below)

  • Skewer rose hips and pieces of orange peel alternately on a bamboo skewer.

  • Place them in a bottle and cover with white wine vinegar.

  • Allow the mixture to infuse for a few days in a cupboard.

  • Drizzle this flavorful vinegar on your favorite salad mix and experience its zesty goodness!

Embrace the natural wonders that surround us, and let Rosa rugosa add a touch of beauty and flavor to your outdoor adventures.  Or, harvest the hairs from inside the fruits and pull a prank on a friend or relative ;)

Stay tuned for more exciting botanical insights and survival tips from Creek's Rabbit Hole of Knowledge.

Did you know I teach how to identify, harvest, prepare, and eat a new Wild Edible Plant every month through Wild Edible Plant of the Month Club?  Join myself and 100s of other wild foragers at https://www.wildedibleplantofthemonth.com!

Creek StewartComment