THE WILD ROSES OF BRITAIN 133 



and Rosa spinosissima. Colour is lent to this idea by 

 the plant being intermediate in character between those 

 two. On the other hand, if it is a hybrid it must have 

 appeared in several different localities, for it is reported 

 from Sutherland, Northumberland, Ireland, and other 

 places. Growing from two to four feet high, it forms 

 upright or arching branches clothed with rather strong 

 prickles and leaves composed of from five to seven 

 leaflets, and bearing pale pink flowers during May, June, 

 or July, according to where the plant is growing. The 

 fruits are globular and orange coloured. 



Rosa involuta. — ^As in the case of the last-named, there 

 is considerable doubt as to this being a true species, the 

 suggestion having been made that it is a natural hybrid 

 between Rosa spinosissima and Rosa tomeniosa. Its 

 aflinities are nearer those of the former than the latter, 

 for it is of rather dwarf, compact growth, forming a dense 

 bush two or two and a half feet high, with numerous 

 small, twiggy branches, amply clothed with prickles 

 and small leaves made up of five or seven tiny leaflets ; 

 it bears, during June and July, white or pinkish flowers 

 from one inch to one and a half inches across. As a 

 rule, the flower clusters are small, rarely more than 

 three blossoms appearing together. A striking resem- 

 blance to Rosa spinosissima occurs in the fruits, for 

 they are small, roimd, black, and clothed with small 

 bristly hairs. Rosa involuta has been reported from 

 several places in Scotland and Ireland, and is also foimd 

 on the Continent. Numerous forms have been given 

 varietal names, but very few are in cultivation. 



