J20150929-0132—Rosa californica—RPBG

A hip of Rosa californica—California wild rose. Wild roses are difficult to distinguish by floral characteristics. A better way to determine if the rose is a California wild rose is by the branches. These are gray or brown with (usually) strongly curved, thick-based prickles according to Barbara Ertter, the author of "The Jepson Manual 2nd ed." treatment. The late Bert Wilson of Las Pilitas Nursery used more colorful language to describe Rosa california attributes: "If you are in an area of feral cats or wild dogs this plant should help. Its thorns are hooked. You do not walk through it. It is like thorny Velcro. The cats may be able to walk under it but not get animals that are hiding in it. Low life neighbors hate it, they can no longer siphon gas to get to town, without going in the front way." The hips are rich in Vitamin C. Recipes for teas and jellies are easy to find. Photographed at Regional Parks Botanic Garden located in Tilden Regional Park near Berkeley, CA.

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