Part 16

This Rose is known by the appellation of diversifolia, a title equally applicable to any other Rose. But were this the only objection, we are not so much attached to novelty as to think the adoption of a more appropriate term a sufficient compensation for the confusion which alteration invariably produces. As the present subject, however, (of recent introduction) is unquestionably the original or single of that line semi-double ever-blooming Rose so well characterized by the title of semperflorens, the species must therefore undoubtedly retain the appropriate title which its fine variety has so long enjoyed.

Our figure was made from a plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley.

ROSA multiflora.

Many-flowered Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus subrotundis et pedunculis villosis: floribus numerosis, confertis, parvis, multiplicatis, carneis, odoratis: foliolis sub-ovatis, villosis: petiolis villosis et aculeatis: caule viridi, glabro, cum aculeis sparsis.

Habitat in Sinensi.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with roundish seed-buds and villous peduncles: flowers numerous, crowded together, small, of many folds, flesh-coloured, and sweet-scented: leaflets nearly egg-shaped, and hairy: petioles villous and prickly: stem green, smooth, with scattered prickles.

Native of China.

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This beautiful plant was introduced by T. Evans, esq. amongst many others, from China, that delightful region, where Flora reigns unrivalled. Previous to its flowering it was regarded as a yellow Rose; and although it has proved to be a very different plant, it has exceeded, we believe, what was expected from it under its former appellation. It is equally as hardy as any other Rose we are acquainted with. The flowers are very fragrant; and its growth is so rapid, that a small cutting rooted in the spring will in the course of the summer become a fine large plant. The luxuriance of its crowded flowers immediately pointed out the specific title of multiflora, by which appellation we find it already described by Thunberg, and enumerated by Willdenow. Our figure was made, from the only plant that has as yet flowered in this country, at the nursery of Messrs. Colville in the month of July; and from what we can at present judge of it, the three summer months appeared to be the utmost period of its inflorescence.

ROSA sulphurea.

Double Yellow Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus glabris, rotundato-planis: foliis ovalibus, marginibus serratis, sub-glaucis: petiolis aculeatis: floribus ramulos terminantibus: corollis flavis: petalis numerosis, confertis: caule ramoso, spinis curvatis armato.

Habitat in Oriente.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

Rose with smooth seed-buds flatly rounded: leaves oval, sawed at the edges, and nearly glaucous: petioles prickly: flowers terminate the smaller branches: blossom yellow: petals numerous, and crowded together: stem branching, and armed with crooked spines.

Native of the Levant.

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This fine yellow Rose is a native of the Levant, and not to be met with in flower in any of the nursery-grounds very near London. We have not seen it even in a budding state nearer than Brentford, in the collection of the Duke of Northumberland at Sion House, whence our drawing was begun last year from a fine plant with numerous buds, not one of which expanded sufficiently perfect for us to represent. To complete our figure, we this year received some fine specimens communicated by the Hon. W. Irby, collected from a gentleman’s garden in the neighbourhood of Farnham, a distance of between twenty and thirty miles, and we believe the nearest approximation to the metropolis in which it can be found in perfect bloom. Even in the most congenial situations it is subject to an irregularity of inflorescence, from the extreme complexity of its petals, occasionally bursting at the sides, and destroying the symmetry of its appearance. We have never seen it lighter in colour than we have represented, certainly much too deep a yellow to exemplify the pallid hue of sulphur. It flowers in the month of June, and was introduced to this country in the year 1629.

ROSA Cinnamomea, multiplex.

Double Cinnamon Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

Rosa germinibus globosis, glabris, et saturatè purpureis: floribus petalis confertis: pedunculis glabris, ad basin bracteâ magnâ instructis: foliis saturatè viridibus, rugosis, subtùs glaucis: petiolis aculeatis: caule aculeato, cum spinis sparsis geminis.

Habitat in Europâ Meridionali.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.