Nootka rose (Rosa nutkana) is found in various habitats such as bogs, thickets, clearings, and woods. The “reddish, berry-like” fruits are called “hips.” (Kari 1995) Hips and leaves contain abundant vitamin C. Pink 5-petaled flowers are edible. Beware, the bark causes vomiting. (Viereck 1987)

Harvest “tender shoots” in spring. Peeled shoots are a “tender trail nibble.” Petals “with the bitter white base removed” can be eaten raw. Steep rose petals “in hot water for a pleasant tea, or infuse in cold water.” (Schofield 1998) 

Harvest leaves, buds and petals in “late spring through midsummer.” Collect rose hips in September and October, after first frost. (Russell 1991; Schofield 1998) 

Three hips “have more vitamin C than a whole orange” and also contain abundant “vitamins A, B, E, and K” and minerals “calcium, iron, silica, and phosphorus.” They can still be harvested through winter, after repeated freezings. Even if soft, they still retain substantial vitamin content. Have caution, however, if eating many rose hips raw, due to “hairs surrounding the seeds” that may “irritate intestinal linings when eaten in excess.” (Schofield 1998) 

The Dena’ina ate the flowers raw and “used them for medicine.” The Dena’ina used rose hips for food which are “seedy” but “quite flavorful.” Hips were “mixed with lard or fish eggs.” (Kari 1995) Stems and branches were also used for medicine, “boiled until the water is dark” to make a “strong decoction” taken internally. This is not advised! The Kenai people also make medicine from the “inner and outer bark” which is emetic. (Kari 1995)

Also commonly found in the region, Rosa acicularis is “densely armed with bristles” which are straight and round. Rosa nutkana has “few, short” prickles which are “more or less flattened.” (Hultén 1968)

References

Hultén, Eric. Flora of Alaska and Neighboring Territories: A Manual of the Vascular Plants, 1968.

Kari, Priscilla Russell. Tanaina Plantlore Dena’ina K’et’una: An Ethnobotany of the Dena’ina Indians of Southcentral Alaska. Alaska Native Language Center (University of Alaska Fairbanks), Alaska Natural History Association, National Park Service, fourth edition, 1995. 

Russell, Priscilla N. English Bay and Port Graham Alutiiq Plantlore. Pratt Museum (Homer Society of Natural History), Chugach Heritage Foundation, and Alaska Native Plant Society, 1991.

Schofield, Janice J. Discovering Wild Plants: Alaska, Western Canada, The Northwest, fourth printing. Anchorage, AK, Alaska Northwest Books, 1998.

Viereck, Eleanor G. Alaska’s Wilderness Medicines: Healthful Plants of the Far North. Alaska Northwest Books, Fifth printing, 1995.

Author

Cecelia N. Dailey, 28 August 2025