The Rosehip or Rosehaw (of the Rose family, in this case the Dog Rose) is not a drupe. Oh no. It is a POME. (Click to investigate full meaning of word).
We can and do eat Rosehips, as they are a marvellous source of iron, vitamind A,D and E, and especially Vitamin C - the Rosehip is one of nature's most powerful sources of that particular vitamin.
Rose hips are used for the creation of herbal tea, jam, jelly, syrup, beverages, pies, bread and marmalade, amongst others, but one has to work them quite hard generally, or add lots of sugar, to sweeten them up considerably.
Do you own a pet Chinchilla?
If you do - have a word with yourself.
Anyhoo, if you do, and you are concerned that your Chinchilla is not getting enough Vitamin C (a problem quite specific to Chinchillas - they cannot form their own and lack the internal organs to process a wide variety of foods), bung a few Rosehips in its cage - your Chinchilla will not only look upon them as tasty treats, but it will also be getting all the Vitamin C it needs in a safe, sugar-free package.
I remember using Rosehips in a very different way at school. The fine hairs inside each pome can be used as first class itching powder, when stuffed down someone's back!
Those were the days...
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