Prairie Wild Rose fruit

Description:

The prairie wild rose is a prickly-stemmed native shrub (usually less than 18 inches tall) common in southern and western Minnesota. Its pink, five-petal flowers are present in June and early July. After they bloom the base of the flower below the petals develops into a spherical, bright red, leathery, seed-packed fruit, called a hip. The round berry like fruit are about 1/2 inch in diameter, turning bright red in late summer.

Habitat:

Prairie wild roses are found in prairies and prefers sandy soils in jackpine, oak and conifer forests. They also grow in sunny roadsides, field edges, pastures, and other sites. This plant was found along the Egg Lake trail.

Notes:

A rose hip is the fruit of a rose. The skin of the wild rose hip is edible and is an excellent source of vitamin C. Because of the high vitamin C content they are an excellent immune system booster, and are often used as a supplement to prevent or treat a cold.