The root or whole herb of Rosa laevigata, a plant in the Rosaceae family, is called "Dawupao" in Chinese. It is mainly distributed in Guangdong, Guangxi, Yunnan, Guizhou and other provinces in China. It has rich medicinal value and is known for its effects of clearing heat, stopping bleeding, and dispelling wind and dampness. It is commonly used for treating colds with fever, coughing with bloody sputum, nosebleeds, irregular menstruation, external bleeding, dysentery, diarrhea, prolapse of the anus, and rheumatism.
Image of Dawupao
Dawupao is a shrub that grows 2-3 meters tall. Its stems are thick and covered with yellow hairs and short, curved thorns. It has numerous stamens and pistils, which are attached to the raised receptacle. The aggregate fruit is spherical, reaching a diameter of 1.5cm, and it bears numerous red berry-like small drupes. The flowering period is from April to June, and the fruiting period is from August to September.
Image of Dawupao
The leaves of Dawupao are alternate and single. The petiole is 3-6cm long and densely covered with yellow hairs. The stipules are divided into strips, and the leaf blades are leathery and nearly circular, with a diameter of 5-16cm. They are palmately lobed into 7-9 shallow lobes. The lobes are often shallowly divided into two or have notches, with a rounded or acute apex, a cordate base, and irregular serrations along the edges.
Image of Dawupao
The upper surface of the leaf has short hairs and dense small protrusions, while the lower surface is covered with yellow hairs. The main veins are palmately veined with 5-7 prominent secondary veins. The inflorescence is a cone-shaped or cymose panicle, densely covered with yellow hairs. The bracts are elliptical and about 1-1.5cm long, with torn edges. The sepals are ovate, often divided at the apex, and densely covered with yellow hairs on the outside. The petals are slightly longer than the sepals, elliptical in shape, and white with claws.
Image of Dawupao
The green fruit of Dawupao in April turns red in July, then purple, and finally black when fully ripe. Dawupao plants are larger and bear more fruit. The fruits are black when fully ripe. The pale red bubbles are not yet ripe, hard, and not sweet. The deep red and purple bubbles have the best taste. The bubbles that are too black, like overly sophisticated people, are overly ripe and have a bland taste.
