ROSA centifolia, holosericea.
Velvet-flowered Hundred-leaved Rose.
CHARACTER SPECIFICUS.
Rosa germinibus sub-globosis, pedunculisque hispidis: caule et petiolis hispidis, aculeatis: foliis pinnatis: foliolis ovatis, subtùs villosis: floribus saturatè purpureis: corollis simplicibus, semi-duplicibus, vel petalis plenis.
SPECIFIC CHARACTER.
Rose with nearly round seed-buds, and peduncles hispid: stem and petioles hispid and prickly: leaves winged: leaflets ovate, and villose beneath: flowers of a deep purple colour: blossom single, semi-double, or full of petals.
This species of Rose forms part of a section known by the appellation of Centifolia, in which may be included many of the French and Dutch Roses, whose general appearance is so nearly alike, that when out of bloom it would be very difficult to distinguish one from the other. For what reason it has acquired the specific title of centifolia we are at a loss to guess, as it would be utterly impossible to find out a species by any given number of leaves, which must ever depend on the size of the plant. But as a very old species long usage has given it such a sanction, that a more appropriate title would not be used in preference.