Category: Seed of the Week (Page 122 of 167)

Seed of the Week: Wild Roses

Our mystery seeds last week were from the rose hip or fruit of a wild rose, Rosa sp.

You may have seen the plant growing in an old field.

Often they are covered with simple flowers in various shades of pink.

The flowers have yellow centers.

There are actually at least three different species in the northern parts of United States and Canada.

Plus some that are being cultivated,

They all make rose hips full of seeds.

Here’s an old rose hip that has dried on the plant.

The fruit of Rosa species are edible, but take care to remove all the hairs and seeds. According to some sources, those hairs were once used as an ingredient in itching powder.

You can also grow new rose plants from the seeds.

Do wild roses grow where you live? Have you ever eaten rose hips?

Seed of the Week: Ocotillo

Our mystery seeds from last week were from the ocotillo, Fouquieria splendens.

Photograph from Wikimedia Commons.

Ocotillos are a common sight in the Southwest.

Photograph from Wikipedia.

During rainy seasons the branches are covered with small green leaves and have bright orange-red flowers at the tips. During the dry parts of the year, the leaves turn yellow and drop off, leaving a spiky stick behind.

Photograph from Wikipedia

In the past, the “canes” were cut into lengths and used to create a natural fence. Often the canes would take root and grow.

Firefly Forest has a lovely set of photographs of ocotillos.

For various reasons, Seed of the Week/Mystery Seed will be on hiatus for the next two weeks.

Do ocotillos grow where you live? Have you ever seen an ocotillo?

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