Why Do Rose Flowers Turn to Bulbs?

Rose hips are a rose's fruits.

Rose hips are a rose's fruits.

Roses (Rosa spp.), which generally grow in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 3 through 9, range in color, shape and growing habit, making them a diverse plant. One thing roses all have in common is that their flowers eventually change to round, orange fruits in fall.

Rose Hips

When a flower like the rose is fertilized, meaning the male pollen leaves the anther and lands on the female stigma, the flower begins forming seeds. In the case of the rose, it forms a protective fruit around the seed, which takes the form of the rose hip. These are usually bright orange to reddish-pink, bulblike balls that cling to the plant through winter. They are not bulbs.

Rose Reproductive Cycle

Roses attract insects to pollinate them, but they can also be pollinated by the wind. Like all flowering plants, roses set seed after they are fertilized. This results in the rose hip, which contains many small, white seeds. Although planting seeds is not how most growers produce new rose bushes, you can plant the seeds. A long refrigeration period, followed by rooting in soilless medium and planting usually results in viable roses you can plant in the garden.

Extracting Rose Seeds

If you do want to remove the seeds from the rose hips, you may find it a difficult process because they are small and hard to handle. Instead, try putting them in a blender with some water, running the results through a sieve over a sink, and then laying the drained pulp on newspaper to dry. Removing the seeds will be much easier, but still time-consuming.

Rose Hip Uses

Although you can use rose hips for their seeds, you can also use them to make a tea. You can also eat them as you would other fruits, spitting out the seeds. Pick them early in the season so you know they’re still good.

About the Author


Photo Credits

  • NA/Photos.com/Getty Images
Suggest a Correction