Prickly rose (Rosa acicularis)
Gitxsan name: sgan k'alaamst
Wet'suwet'en name: tselhghïl
Botanical Description
- shrub, up to 1.5 metres tall with stems covered in numerous straight,
bristly prickles
- oblong leaflets, doubly toothed, somewhat hairy underside
- large, pink solitary flowers
- fruits are scarlet, pear-shaped, fleshy "hips" known widely as
rose hips
- found in open forest, thickets, rocky slopes and clearings
- low to medium elevations
Photo courtesy of Frank Boas (55kB)
Ethnobotanical Description
The flesh, which was high in vitamin C, was eaten and the seeds of the
rose hips were thrown away. Today the Gitxsan make jams and jellies out of the
flesh. The Gitxsan warn that eating too many will give you an "itchy
bottom". The wood was used for arrow points as it is hard and light and would
therefore fly straight.
The Wet'suwet'en scraped the cambium layer from the roots, soaked it,
boiled it and applied the ointment to sore eyes.
This digital collection was produced under contract to the SchoolNet
Digital Collection Program, Industry Canada.
Revised: 08/21/98
