gratte-cul

Gratte-cul (‘ass scratcher’) is the common name for rose hips, the ‘false fruit’ of the eglantine because of its ‘hairs’ are used as itching powder (these hairs need to be removed before eating—although herbalists mix them with honey as a cure from round worms).

In polite company, rose hips are called cynorhodon (or cynorrhodon) from the Greek kynorhodon, or ‘dog rose’, dating from the time when the root of wild rose was believed to cure for rabies. It isn’t, but rose hips themselves have plenty of antioxidants and and are good for skin conditions.

The Aveyron is the département of confiture de gratte-cul (rose hip jam), where it’s also called confiture de quina.

It’s also made into an eau-de-vie in Fougerolles in the Haute-Saône.