There are 300 – 400 species of roses, depending on whose counting. The classic red rose for romantic endeavours varies, there isn’t just one specific species which has been dedicated for this purpose.
Roses are my favourite flower, so let’s explore.
Taxonomy
Living organisms can be arranged through taxonomy, the classicisation of living things. See here for my blog on the evolution of taxonomy.
All the various species of roses belong to the genus Rosa. It is under the family of Rosaceae, which is a family of flowering plants. This family includes many other trees and shrubs, but also includes the fruits of plums, cherries, peaches, nectarines, apricots and almonds.
The order, one of the higher levels up, is Rosales. There are maybe 7000 – 8000 species under this order which also include strawberries, apples, elms, figs, nettles and cannabis. Then of course at the top is the kingdom of Plantae. The other kingdoms being Animalia (from which we descend) and Fungi. Depending on the interpretation, there is potentially Protista as well. Above that are the domains of life.
Rose structure
The leaves of a rose stem are alternative in their growth structure. The flowers themselves have mostly five petals, with each petal being divided into two distinct lobes. The potential fruit of a rose is called a rose hip but most growers don’t produce them.
The thorns on the stems of roses are technically ‘prickles’ which are grown from the outer layer of the tissue of the stem. The purpose is to hang onto other plants when growing, keeping them upright and to also to reduce contact with animals.
Evolution of Roses Timeline
3.7 billion years ago. Early life began as single celled organisms. Cyanobacteria evolved to photosynthesise giving rise to a whole new way of extracting energy. Plants remained in the seas for a long time.
470 million years ago – Ordovician period (485 to 443 million years ago). Plants begin to migrate onto land. It would take another few million years for them to adapt to land and diversify in the new environment.
130 – 135 million years ago – Cretaceous period (145 – 66 million years ago). Flowering plant began to evolve. By the end of this period, there was huge diversity of plants and flowering plants.
56 – 33.9 million years ago – Eocene epoch. Roses evolved in the latter half of this epoch of time
33.9 – 23 million years ago – Oligocene epoch. Roses were present in Europe near the beginning of this epoch of time
5000 years ago – ancient civilisations evolve
Roses in society
Roses have been used since ancient times for medicine, food and perfume. Rose water likely originated in Persia. Rose oil is made by steam-distilling the crushed petals of roses. This can be used to make rose perfumes, and a by-product of the process is rose water. Rose syrup is made from rose water by adding sugar.
Food and drink
Rose water can be added to lemonade, or sweets. It can be mixed with milk as in Malaysia and Singapore. It was used amongst bankers in America and Europe until vanilla became popular. In medieval Europe, it was used to wash hands during feasts at the table. It can be applied to the face as a spray. It’s also used in religious ceremonies. Rose petals can be used to make various teas and as decoration on foods.
Cultural history
Ancient Greece – was associated with Aphrodite.
Roman Empire to the Renaissance – was associated with the Virgin Mary.
269 CE – Saint Valentines was martyred
496 CE – Feast of Saint Valentines was proclaimed to occur on 14th February
1455 – 1487 – War of the Roses – English civil wars where the rose became a symbol of both the Houses of York and Lancaster
Renaissance to present – artists frequently depict roses as subject matter for still life include Claude Monet.
1986 – President Ronald Regan made the rose the floral emblem of United States.
Valentine’s Day
Roses are the go to flowers for romantic partners on Valentine’s Day. This is a holiday that originated as a Christian feast day to honour the martyr Valentine. Saint Valentine was a clergyman, bishop or priest in the Roman Empire. He was martyred and his body buried on February 14th 269 CE which has been the Feast of Saint Valentine since 496 CE. There are various accounts of who he was and why he died, but the holiday has come to be associated with love.
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