Prickly Rose
Fun Facts!
Prickly Rose is one of three species of Rose (Rosa) in Alberta
Prickly Rose is the provincial floral emblem for Alberta (plant that represents Alberta)
Prickly Roses are a plant with many straight, weak bristles (hairs) and slender thorns.
Prickly Rose leaves are divided into 3 – 9 parts (leaflets) and the edges are toothed
Prickly Rose is fire resistant! It will regrow after a forest fire because of deep roots
Prickly Rose seeds are dispersed by animals, as the rosehips are resource for many mammals. Animals eat the rosehips but can't digest the seeds so they leave the animal in their droppings.
Animal Connections
Prickly Rose fruit and twigs are a food source for many species including white-tailed /mule deer, moose, pronghorn, sheep and elk, hares, rodents and grouse. The fruit (rosehips), leaves, and stems are also eaten by bears, smaller mammals, beaver and hares/rabbits.
The prickly shrubs are good cover for small mammals and birds and can be used for nesting.
Prickly Rose seeds are spread by animals, as the rosehips are food for many mammals. Animals eat the rosehips but can't digest the seeds so they are spread in the animal droppings.
Human Connections
Rosehips are gathered from late August and into the winter. They can be an emergency food because they are around in winter!
Seeds inside the hips are hairy and were said to give “itchy bottom” if eaten – so only outer flesh eaten. Some people have made itching powder as a prank out of these hairy seeds!
Petals of the Prickly Rose can be eaten too, in spring
Rose flowers are a used to make rose oils, water and perfumes
Rosehips can be stored frozen or dried
Rosehips are culturally important as a food source (tea, rosehip jam) for Indigenous, First Nations and Métis and Non-Indigenous, including Indigenous; also used for medicinal purposes (tea for stomach issues, boiled roots for reducing swelling, etc.)