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About
The genus *Rosa* includes over three hundred species, forming a diverse group of plants that can range from compact shrubs to massive climbers. They are widely cultivated globally for their showy, often fragrant flowers, which come in colors from white to red. The species are notable for their adaptability and the wide range of forms available, including those grown for attractive foliage or showy fruit.
Field notes
Morphology
Leaves are borne alternately on the stem, typically 5 to 15 centimeters long, pinnate, and featuring 3 to 9 leaflets with serrated margins. The flowers generally have five petals, though some species like *Rosa omeiensis* and *Rosa sericea* have only four. The hips, which develop from the fertilized ovary, are typically red, though some species have dark purple to black hips.
Ecology
The hips are eaten by fruit-eating birds such as thrushes and waxwings, which then disperse the seeds in their droppings. Some species, such as *Rosa rugosa* and *R. pimpinellifolia*, have densely packed straight prickles, possibly to trap wind-blown sand and reduce erosion on coastal sand dunes.
History & etymology
The name rose comes from Latin rosa, which may have been borrowed from Oscan, and ultimately from Old Persian wrd-. Ornamental roses have been cultivated for millennia, with the earliest known cultivation dating back to at least 500 BC in Mediterranean countries, Persia, and China.
Habitat
- Altitude
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- Altitude Class
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Cultivation
- Difficulty
- intermediate
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