It is the capsule or pod that houses the seeds which have been pollinated or at the best possibly pollinated. The other par is that they could produce new roses, witn patience, there is the last option which is rose hip syrup for toddlers as a nutrition.

The rose hips are also very nutritional (vitamin C w/ rose hips). You can make a tea from them and if you look on the internet you can find all kinds of neat info about the medicinal values and uses. They are also (if large) considered an asset for the appearance; large orange or red fruits in the fall and winter when all else is dead.