ROSA alba, semi-duplex.
Semi-double White Rose.
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Rosa germinibus ovatis, glabris: pedunculis hispidis: floribus albis, semi-duplicibus: foliis sub-glaucis: foliolis ovatis, acutis, ad margines serratis: caulis erecto-patens, superne sub-glaber, ad basin aculeis rigidis instructus.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Rose with smooth, egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles. Flowers white, and semi-double. Leaves nearly of a glaucous green. Leaflets broadly egg-shaped, sharp-pointed, with serrated margins. Stem between erect and spreading, nearly smooth on the upper part, but furnished with strong spines towards the base.
This semi-double Rose so nearly resembles the single in its habit and foliage, that it can only be regarded as a florescent variety; for, when the plant is not in bloom, it is scarcely possible to distinguish the one from the other: but when in flower it certainly forms a very distinct appearance from its original, and is by far the more desirable plant: not that its beauty is by any means considerable; but as it preserves a regular progressive approach to completely double flowers, (generally regarded as the perfection of the plant,) it is on that account particularly estimable. Like its original, it is only retained by those who wish to have every distinct Rose, to form a complete collection. Its flowers are of a fine white, but not of long continuance. The foliage is of a blueish or glaucous green. In habit, its native origin (the wild species) is very discernible. It is at present rather a scarce plant, from not possessing attraction sufficient to recommend it as an object of general culture.
