February 5, 1999

     Rose Hips

Wild roses thrive throughout Minnesota, especially near streams and lakes, in grassy roadsides, near fences, on the edges of woods, in rocky areas and along railroad lines.  They often form brier patches.  Shrubs range in height from about 18 inches to 5 feet.  The hips are easy to pick because they are usually plentiful; late-fall and winter forage trips should be worthwhile.

Remaining on the shrubs throughout winter and into spring, rose hips make an excellent survival food.  They are rich in vitamin C and a source of iron, calcium and phosphorus.  Three rose hips, according to some food experts, have as much vitamin C as an orange.

Rose hips are cousins of the apple, and are nutritious whether eaten off the shrub, cut up in salads, baked in breads or cake, or boiled into jam or jelly.  Dried rose hips are well worth carrying in a pocket during an outdoor hike, for munching like raisins.  To prepare them, just cut each in half, remove the central core of seeds and dry the remaining shell-like skins and pulp quickly in a low temperature oven.