IDENTIFYING ROSE FLOWERS

Rose is a type of shrub of the genus Rosa as well as the name of the flower produced by this plant. Wild roses are made up of more than 100 species, most of which grow in the cool northern hemisphere. Rose species are generally thorny shrubs or climbing plants whose height can reach 2 to 5 meters. Although rarely found, the height of the rose plant that propagates in other plants can reach 20 meters.

Most species have leaves that are between 5-15 cm long with two opposite (pinnate). Compound leaves which each leaf stem consists of at least 3 or 5 to 9 or 13 leaflets and stipula leaves are oval shaped, pinnate reinforcement, edge edged, tapered at the tips of the leaves and spiked on stems close to the ground. Roses are not actually tropical plants, most species shed their entire leaves and only a few species in Southeast Asia are always leafy green throughout the year.

The flowers consist of 5 crowns with the exception of Rosa sericea which only has 4 crowns. Among the colors possessed by roses are white, pink, yellow and blue in some species. The ovaries are at the bottom of the petal and petal leaves.

Flowers produce aggregate fruits (develop from one flower with many pistils) called rose hips. Each pistil develops into a single fruit (achene), while a single fruit collection is wrapped in fruit flesh on the outside. Species with wide open flowers invite more bees or other insects to help pollinate so they tend to produce more fruit. Breeding roses produce flowers whose crowns close tightly making pollination difficult. Some roses are red with a few exceptions such as Rosa pimpinellifolia which produces dark purple to black.

In some species such as Rosa canina and Rosa rugosa produce rose hips which are very rich in vitamin C and even among the richest sources of natural vitamin C Rose hips are favored by fruit-eating birds which help spread the seeds of the rose with the excrement removed. Some species of birds such as finches also eat rose seeds.

In general, the rose has a hook-shaped thorn that functions as a handle when climbing other plants. Some species that grow wild in sandy soils in coastal areas such as Rosa rugosa and Rosa pimpinellifolia adapt to straight spines such as needles that might serve to reduce damage caused by animals, hold sand blown by wind and protect roots from erosion. Even though it's protected by thorns, deer don't seem to be afraid and often damage the rose plant. Some species of roses have thorns that do not develop and are not sharp.

Roses can be infected with several diseases such as leaf rust which is the most serious disease. The cause is the fungus Phragmidium mucronatum which causes leaf loss. Less dangerous diseases such as Mildew Flour are caused by the fungus Sphaerotheca pannosa, while Black Spot disease is characterized by black spots on the leaves caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae. Roses are also food for the larvae of several species of Lepidoptera.

Roses thrive in temperate regions, although some cultivars which are the result of the grafting method can grow in subtropical climates to tropical climates. Besides being cut flowers, roses have many benefits, including antidepressants, antivirals, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, and source of vitamin C. Rose oil is one of the essential oils from the distillation and evaporation of crown leaves so that it can be made into perfume. Roses can also be used for tea, jelly and jam.