Varieties.—There are numerous varieties of this beautiful rose in cultivation, some of which were regarded as distinct species by the earlier authors. The following are quite distinct, and may each be considered the type of a long list of subvarieties.
Var. Noisettiana.—The Noisette Rose.—Stem firm, and, as well as the branches, prickly. Stipules nearly entire. Flowers panicled, very numerous, semi-double, pale red. Styles exserted.
This well-known and very beautiful rose is almost invaluable in a shrubbery, from its free and vigorous growth, and the profusion of its flowers, which are continually being produced during the whole summer.
Var. odoratissima.—The Tea-scented China Rose.—R. odoratissima, Swt.; R. Indica fragrans, Red.—Has semi-double flowers, of a most delicious fragrance, strongly resembling the scent of the finest green tea. There are numerous subvarieties.
R. Laurenciana is placed as a species by some authors, but it is probably only a variety of R. Indica.
SYSTYLÆ.
(From sun, together, and stulos, a style; in reference to the styles being connected.)
Sect. Char.—Styles cohering together into an elongated column. Stipules adnate. The habit of this section is nearly the same as that of the last. The leaves are frequently persistent.
R. sempervirens, Lin.—Evergreen Rose.—Syn. R. scandens, Mill.; R. Balearica, Desf.; R. atrovirens, Viv.; R. sempervirens globosa, Red.—Evergreen. Shoots climbing. Prickles pretty equal, falcate. Leaves of 5 to 7 leaflets, that are green on both sides, coriaceous. Flowers almost solitary, or in corymbs. Sepals nearly entire, longish. Styles cohering into an elongate pilose column. Fruit ovate or ovate-globose, orange-colored. Peduncles mostly hispid with glanded hairs. Closely allied to R. arvensis, but differing in its being evergreen, in its leaves being coriaceous, and in its stipules being subfalcate, and more acute at the tip. Native of France, Portugal, Italy, Greece, and the Balearic Islands. A climbing shrub, flowering from June to August.