Rosa sericea

Taxobox
name = "Rosa sericea"


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

"Rosa sericea" is a species of "Rosa" native to southwestern China (Guizhou, Sichuan, Xizang, Yunnan), Bhutan, northern India (Sikkim), and Myanmar; it grows in mountains at altitudes of 2,000-4,400 m.

It is a shrub growing to 2 m tall, often very spiny. The leaves are deciduous, 4-8 cm long, with 7-11 leaflets with a serrated margin. The flowers are 2.5-5 cm diameter, white, with (unusually for a rose) only four petals. The hips are red, 8-15 mm diameter, with persistent sepals, and often bristly.

There are four formae:
*"Rosa sericea" f. "sericea".
*"Rosa sericea" f. "glandulosa" T.T.Yü & T.C.Ku.
*"Rosa sericea" f. "glabrescens" Franchet.
*"Rosa sericea" f. "pteracantha" Franchet.

The closely related "Rosa omeiensis" is sometimes treated as a subspecies of "R. sericea".

Cultivation and uses

"R. sericea" f. "pteracantha" is grown as an ornamental plant for its large, bright red thorns.

References

* [http://www.efloras.org/florataxon.aspx?flora_id=2&taxon_id=200011313 Flora of China: "Rosa sericea"]