Surprising Places Where Roses Grow Wild
Finding roses in the wilderness can always be a treat to anyone who loves to garden or to those who admire the beauty and symbolism of the rose. It is quite amazing to see how wonderfully these roses grow because they more often than not are neglected. As prime gardeners, one knows that with a little extra attention with rose care, roses can turn into a splendid healthy and lush bush.
Background of Roses
The scientific name for the wild rose is acicularis or in English, “prickly”. Many wild roses are pink and grow up to 15 meters into the air. They have a unique smell and taste and produce a fruit called rose hips with brilliant red seeds.
The History of Wild Roses
You may never believe it from the look of these magnificent flowers, but wild roses do have quite a history. Scientists have deducted that wild roses were first seen in the Tertiary period, about 70 million years ago. The roses are one type of plant life that actually predates human evolution. Places where roses grow wild include the Island of Crete, Egypt, China, Israel and other unique regions of the world.
Wild Roses Around the World
Roses, literature, and art are very closely linked. One of the reasons how we know today that roses existed throughout all times is through their depiction in literature and art. Drawings of roses were drawn all over the tombs of ancient Egyptians and mentioned in Greek literature where rose bushes blossomed on the hillsides of Crete. Roses also flourished in Babylon at the Hanging Gardens and in Jerusalem at the Temple of King Solomon.
Other Values of Roses
Roses have various aroma, therapeutic, and medicinal values which the Chinese were very interested in. Therefore, during the middle ages, monks would grow these flowers for their curing needs. Wild roses actually contain high levels of vitamin C and people eat these flowers for their vitamin values and have a sweet apple taste.
Wild roses can also be used to create foods and teas. The petals can be converted into jelly, jam, and syrup. The petals can also be soaked in cold water before being heated to create wild rose tea. Therefore, wild roses can be very nutritious and if you ever get stuck in the woods without anything to eat, you know that you can aliment yourself from the fruits and flowers of the wild pink rose bush.
As the wild roses became more and more popular, people eventually domesticated them. Wild roses would be found in various households and beauty salons. Nevertheless, wild roses would still be and continue to be found growing in very unique places around the world.
