Part 4

ROSA Provincialis, multiplex.

Double or Cabbage Province Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, multiplex, germinibus sub-globosis; pedunculis petiolisque hispidis et glandulosis; aculeis ramorum sparsis, rectis, sub-reflexis; foliolis ovatis, subtus villosis, marginibus glandulosis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many folds, and nearly round seed-buds; the peduncles and petioles are hispid and glandular; the prickles of the branches are scattered, straight, and slightly reflexed; leaflets egg-shaped, villous beneath, with glandular margins.

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This variety of the Common Province is the most fragrant of all the Roses, and therefore particularly desirable; for, although it cannot be ranked among the rare, it is nevertheless one of the most beautiful. Its sweetness, joined to the abundance of its blossoms, has rendered it an object of culture, for the purpose of distillation; as it yields a much greater quantity of scented water than any other rose. It is generally denominated the Cabbage Province, from the extreme complexity of its petals, which sometimes adhere so closely together, as to prevent entirely their expansion without bursting:--a circumstance that frequently occurs in the vegetable from which its specific distinction is derived, and which we regard to be unequivocally good, as we should every similitude of equally easy reference. By the closeness and superabundance of its petals only, is it distinguished from the Common Province, of which it is certainly an interesting variety.

ROSA moschata.

Musk Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; germinibus ovatis; pedunculisque villosis; petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum majoribus, sparsis, rectisque.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; seed-bud egg-shaped; peduncles villose; petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, acuminated, and smooth; the spines of the branches are large, scattered, and straight.

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As a perfectly distinct species, the present figure is well deserving of notice. Its flowers are numerous, of a soft creamy white, and which are supposed to emit an odour resembling the perfume called musk. A specific name thus derived, we should not hold in much estimation were the plant ever so deficient in descriptive character; but as the reverse is obvious in the present instance, it is still the more objectionable. Were it, therefore, a name of recent introduction, we should certainly take the liberty of altering it; but, as it has been long known under the title of Musk Rose, however vague and imperfect the reference, we do not think ourselves authorized to change it.

It is a native of the island of Madeira, and a very desirable rose, although by no means splendid; but as one of the latter blowing it is a considerable addition, as it illumines that part of autumn, when the major part of this luxuriant tribe have ceased to bloom.

Our figure was made from a fine plant in the nursery of Messrs. Whitley and Brames, Old Brompton.

ROSA moschata, Var. flore pleno.

Double Musk Rose.

CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.

ROSA, paniculis multifloris, redolens quasi moschum; pedunculis villosis, petiolis aculeatis; foliolis oblongis, acuminatis, glabris; spinis ramorum latis, sparsis, rectis.

SPECIFIC CHARACTER.

ROSE, with many-flowered panicles, scented like musk; peduncles villose, petioles prickly; the leaflets are oblong, pointed, and smooth; the spines of the branches are broad, scattered, and straight.

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This variety of the Musk Rose differs but little, if at all, from the single, except in its semi-double flowers, which in that particular give to the plant a very distinct appearance; but in every other respect it is so closely allied, that it may justly be called the prototype of the former; more especially as upon the single plant double flowers have sometimes been found, but not frequent; and careful cultivation has now rendered it a circumstance of very rare occurrence. Its blossoms certainly form a richer appearance than the single; their fragrance is by some thought stronger, by others weaker; on the propriety of which we shall make no further comment, than merely to observe that we regard an appeal to the olfactory organs of all references the most imperfect.

This plant, as well as the former, is frequently on the upper part of the branches free from spines, but on the lower part of the stems they are extremely large and strong.

Our figure was made from plants in the nursery of Messrs. Colville, King’s Road.