Wild Rose

Rosa californica

California wild rose (Rosa californica) is native to the West Coast. This shrub grows in open woodlands, streambanks and meadows from Oregon south to Baja California [1]. Dense thickets of arching, thorn-studded stems support compound leaves divided into sharply serrated leaflets. California wild rose blooms in spring and early summer with simple, five-petaled pink flowers. Unlike the open layers of most cultivated roses, these blooms are tightly clustered and form dense pom-poms. Following the flowers are bright red rose hips that last through fall and winter and feed birds and wildlife [2].

The rose hips of Rosa californica are extraordinarily high in vitamin C (often surpassing citrus fruits), as well as bioflavonoids and antioxidants [3][4][5]. Traditionally, they were harvested and dried to make a tea to help support immune function and recovery from colds. Many modern herbalists also use the rose hips for immune support in powdered, syrup, or tincture form. Additionally, rosehip seeds can be processed to extract rosehip oil, a skincare ingredient that helps support collagen production and cell repair [3][5].

Wild roses are not only nutritionally and medicinally valuable. In flower-essence and aromatherapy traditions, these plants are associated with feelings of comfort, release and ease in the face of grief. The thorns are a reminder of our need for healthy protection and boundaries, as well as the coexistence of strength and softness.

California wild rose is an ecologically valuable native plant as well. The flowers are an important nectar source for pollinators, and the hips provide food for birds and mammals in winter months. Beautiful, nourishing and deeply symbolic, Rosa californica is a plant that helps weave the landscape’s abundance with the human need for healing and renewal.

[1] USDA NRCS. “California Wildrose (Rosa californica) Plant Guide.” https://plants.usda.gov/DocumentLibrary/plantguide/pdf/pg_roca2.pdf

[2] Calscape. “California Wild Rose – Rosa californica (California Wildrose).” https://calscape.org/Rosa-californica-(California-Wildrose)

[3] Natural Medicinal Herbs. “Herb: California Wild Rose – Rosa californica.” https://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/r/rosa-californica=california-wild-rose.php

[4] Oprica, L., et al. “Therapeutic Applications of Rose Hips from Different Rosa Species.” International Journal of Molecular Sciences 18, no. 6 (2017): 1137. https://www.mdpi.com/1422-0067/18/6/1137

[5] Sharma, Neha et al. “An Overview of Functional Potential of Rose Hips.” The Pharma Journal 12, no. 6 (2023): 170–175. https://www.thepharmajournal.com/archives/2023/vol12issue6/PartA/12-6-170-322.pdf