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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Rosa roxburghii is a deciduous Shrub growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 1.2 m (4ft in).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 5. It is in flower in June, and the seeds ripen in August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils, prefers well-drained soil and can grow in heavy clay and nutritionally poor soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Plant Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Fruit Seed
Edible Uses:
Fruit - raw or cooked[177]. The fruits are aromatic and very spiny, they remain greenish even when ripe[214]. The fruit is very rich in vitamins and has a sweet sour taste[266]. The fruit is up to 4cm long[200], but there is only a thin layer of flesh surrounding the many seeds[K]. Some care has to be taken when eating this fruit, see the notes above on known hazards. The seed is a good source of vitamin E, it can be ground into a powder and mixed with flour or added to other foods as a supplement[102, 183]. Be sure to remove the seed hairs[102].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
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Astringent Cancer
The plant is rich in tannins and is used as an astringent[218]. The fruit of many members of this genus is a very rich source of vitamins and minerals, especially in vitamins A, C and E, flavanoids and other bio-active compounds. It is also a fairly good source of essential fatty acids, which is fairly unusual for a fruit. It is being investigated as a food that is capable of reducing the incidence of cancer and also as a means of halting or reversing the growth of cancers[214].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Succeeds in most soils[11], preferring a circumneutral soil and a sunny position[200]. Succeeds in poor sandy soils[214]. Grows well in heavy clay soils. Dislikes water-logged soils[200]. This species was first described from a double-flowered form, so the typical species (which is single-flowered) is called R. roxburghii normalis[214]. The flowers have a fruity perfume[245]. The mature fruits smell like ripe pineapples[245]. Grows well with alliums, parsley, mignonette and lupins[18, 20]. Garlic planted nearby can help protect the plant from disease and insect predation[18, 20]. Grows badly with boxwood[18]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[80]. Plants in this genus are notably susceptible to honey fungus[200].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
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Plant Propagation
Seed. Rose seed often takes two years to germinate. This is because it may need a warm spell of weather after a cold spell in order to mature the embryo and reduce the seedcoat[80]. One possible way to shorten this time is to scarify the seed and then place it for 2 - 3 weeks in damp peat at a temperature of 27 - 32°c (by which time the seed should have imbibed). It is then kept at 3°c for the next 4 months by which time it should be starting to germinate[80]. Alternatively, it is possible that seed harvested 'green' (when it is fully developed but before it has dried on the plant) and sown immediately will germinate in the late winter. This method has not as yet(1988) been fully tested[80]. Seed sown as soon as it is ripe in a cold frame sometimes germinates in spring though it may take 18 months[K]. Stored seed should be sown as early in the year as possible and stratified for 6 weeks at 5°c[200]. It may take 2 years to germinate[200]. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. Plant out in the summer if the plants are more than 25cm tall, otherwise grow on in a cold frame for the winter and plant out in late spring. Cuttings of half-ripe wood with a heel, July in a shaded frame. Overwinter the plants in the frame and plant out in late spring[78]. High percentage[78]. Cuttings of mature wood of the current seasons growth. Select pencil thick shoots in early autumn that are about 20 - 25cm long and plant them in a sheltered position outdoors or in a cold frame[78, 200]. The cuttings can take 12 months to establish but a high percentage of them normally succeed[78]. Division of suckers in the dormant season. Plant them out direct into their permanent positions. Layering. Takes 12 months[11].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Range
TEMPERATE ASIA: China (Anhui Sheng, Fujian Sheng, Gansu Sheng, Guangxi Zhuangzu Zizhiqu, Guizhou Sheng, Hubei Sheng, Hunan Sheng, Jiangxi Sheng, Shaanxi Sheng, Sichuan Sheng, Xizang Zizhiqu, Yunnan Sheng, Zhejiang Sheng), Japan (Honshu)
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Acaenia anserinifolia | Pirri-Pirri Bur | Perennial | 0.1 |
5-9
| F | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 1 | 3 |
| Aciphylla squarrosa | Speargrass | Perennial | 2.5 |
4-8
| | LM | N | DM | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Adenostoma fasciculatum | Greasewood | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 1 | 2 |
| Adenostoma sparsifolium | Redshank | Shrub | 6.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Agrimonia eupatoria | Agrimony, Churchsteeples | Perennial | 0.6 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | 1 |
| Agrimonia parviflora | Harvestlice | Perennial | 2.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 0 | 2 | |
| Agrimonia pilosa | Hairy Agrimony | Perennial | 0.6 |
-
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Agrimonia striata | Roadside agrimony | | 0.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 0 | 2 | 0 |
| Alchemilla alpina | Alpine Lady's Mantle, Mountain Lady's Mantle | Perennial | 0.2 |
3-7
| M | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | |
| Alchemilla mollis | Lady's-mantle | Perennial | 0.6 |
3-8
| M | LMH | FSN | M | 0 | 0 | 3 |
| Alchemilla xanthochlora | Lady's Mantle | Perennial | 0.3 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Amelanchier alnifolia | Saskatoon, Saskatoon serviceberry, Serviceberry | Shrub | 4.0 |
4-6
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 2 | 3 |
| Amelanchier alnifolia cusickii | Cusick's Serviceberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 0 |
| Amelanchier alnifolia semiintegrifolia | Pacific Serviceberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
0-0
| S | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 1 |
| Amelanchier arborea | Downy Serviceberry, Alabama serviceberry, Juneberry, Common Serviceberry, Downy Serviceberry | Tree | 10.0 |
5-8
| S | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | 2 |
| Amelanchier asiatica | Korean Juneberry | Tree | 8.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier bartramiana | Oblongfruit serviceberry | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Amelanchier basalticola | Dwarf Service-berry | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Amelanchier canadensis | Juneberry, Canadian serviceberry, Serviceberry Downy, Shadblow, Shadbush, Serviceberry | Shrub | 6.0 |
4-7
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 1 | 4 |
| Amelanchier confusa | | Shrub | 3.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Amelanchier humilis | Low serviceberry | Shrub | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier huroensis | | Tree | 6.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier interior | Pacific serviceberry | Tree | 9.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier intermedia | June berry, | Shrub | 6.0 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Amelanchier laevis | Allegheny Shadberry, Allegheny serviceberry, Smooth Serviceberry | Shrub | 9.0 |
5-8
| M | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 1 | 2 |
| Amelanchier lamarckii | Apple Serviceberry | Shrub | 6.0 |
3-3
| | LMH | SN | M | 5 | 0 | 0 |
| Amelanchier obovalis | Southern Juneberry, Coastal serviceberry | Tree | 1.5 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 1 |
| Amelanchier ovalis | Snowy Mespilus, Dwarf Garden Serviceberry | Shrub | 5.0 |
5-7
| S | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier ovalis integrifolia | | Shrub | 4.0 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 0 | |
| Amelanchier pallida | Pale Serviceberry | Shrub | 4.0 |
-
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 1 | |
|
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
Expert comment
Author
Tratt.
Botanical References
11200266
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