Rose hips develop on wild roses as the flowers drop off. The rose hip, also called the rose haw, is actually the fruit of the rose. These fruits are one of the most concentrated sources of vitamin C available.
These plants are deciduous shrubs native to Europe and western Asia. They typically grow between 1 and 5 meters in height, and possess attractive flowers which range in color from white to pink. The fruit, known as rose hips, appears in early summer, ripening throughout the season and into autumn.
Rose hips have a tart flavor and can be used to make jelly, jam, soup or oil, or can be alternatively used to flavor tea. During World War II, the British government used collected rose hips to make rose hip syrup as a source of vitamin C to replace citrus fruits that were impossible to get.
