Rosa rubiginosa

Taxobox
name = "Rosa rubiginosa"


image_width = 240px
image_caption =
regnum = Plantae
divisio = Magnoliophyta
classis = Magnoliopsida
ordo = Rosales
familia = Rosaceae
subfamilia = Rosoideae
genus = "Rosa"
species = "R. rubiginosa"
binomial = "Rosa rubiginosa"
binomial_authority = L.

"Rosa rubiginosa" (Sweet briar or Eglantine Rose; syn. "R. eglanteria") is a species of rose native to Europe and western Asia.

It is a dense deciduous shrub 2-3 m high and across, with the stems bearing numerous hooked prickles. The foliage has a strong apple-like fragrance. The leaves are pinnate, 5-9 cm long, with 5-9 rounded to oval leaflets with a serrated margin, and numerous glandular hairs. The flowers are 1.8-3 cm diameter, the five petals being pink with a white base, and the numerous stamens yellow; the flowers are produced in clusters of 2-7 together, from late spring to mid summer. The fruit is a globose to oblong red hip 1-2 cm diameter.

Etymology

The name 'eglantine' derives from Latin "aculeatus" (thorny), by way of old French "aiglant". 'Sweet' refers to the apple fragrance of the foliage, while 'briar' (also sometimes 'brier') is an old Anglo-Saxon word for any thorny shrub (Vedel & Lange 1960).

Cultivation and uses

In addition to its pink flowers, it is valued for its scent, and the hips that form after the flowers and persist well into the winter. Graham Thomas recommends that it should be planted on the south or west side of the garden so that the fragrance will be brought into the garden on warm, moist winds.

In New Zealand it is an invasive species, classed as a Regional Plant Pest. In southeast Australia it is also invasive. [ [http://www.weeds.org.au/cgi-bin/weedident.cgi?tpl=plant.tpl&ibra=all&card=S24 Sweet Briar] , weeds.org.au, consulted 2007-01-24]

It is also listed as a Category 1 Declared Weed in South Africa. These plants may no longer be planted or propagated, and all trade in their seeds, cuttings or other propagative material is prohibited.

In the Chile and Argentina, where is known as Rosa Mosqueta can be found in the wild around the Andes range, but is also cultivated to produce marmelades and cosmetic products. [http://www3.interscience.wiley.com/journal/72515806/abstract?CRETRY=1&SRETRY=0]

References

* [http://rbg-web2.rbge.org.uk/cgi-bin/nph-readbtree.pl/feout?FAMILY_XREF=&GENUS_XREF=Rosa&SPECIES_XREF=rubiginosa&TAXON_NAME_XREF=&RANK= Flora Europaea: "Rosa rubiginosa"]
*Blamey, M. & Grey-Wilson, C. (1989). "Flora of Britain and Northern Europe". Hodder & Stoughton. ISBN 0-340-40170-2.
*Vedel, H. & Lange, J. (1960). "Trees and bushes". Metheun, London.