NOTES ON CHINESE HOSES. 



507 



NOTES ON CHINESE ROSES. 



By George Nicholson, A.L.S., V.M.H. 



In the Chinese Empire there are about twenty-four species of the genus 

 Bosa which have already been studied and described, and most of them 

 have been introduced to British gardens. These species all belong to 

 the first rank : that is to say, they are so distinct from each other that it 

 is hardly probable that any botanist would attempt to unite any two of 

 them. Incomplete material exists in herbaria which no doubt represents 

 good species not yet described or introduced. Of the eleven groups into 

 which Mr. J. G. Baker classifies the species of cultivated Roses, no less 

 than eight are represented in the Chinese flora. 



Group I. — Simplicifolice. — This contains but a single species, B. 

 simplicifolia (B. berberifolia), which, although a native of Siberia, 

 Afghanistan, and Persia, has not yet been found in China. 



Group II. — Systylce. — Seven species from China are included in this 

 group, only one of which has not yet found its way into cultivation, viz. 

 B. Davidi, related to B. moschata. B. Davidi, moreover, is one of 

 some six or eight Roses which so far have never been found outside the 

 Chinese Empire ; others are anemoneflora, Banksice, bracteata, and 

 microcarpa. 



B. anemoneflora is here treated as a species, although it may prove to 

 be a hybrid between multiflora and Iczvigata. So far it is only known in 

 a double-flowered state. 



B. heschenaultiana is Indian as well as Chinese ; it is a strong- 

 growing handsome climber, which unfortunately is not hardy in the 

 neighbourhood of London. Probably, however, it would thrive in the 

 south-western counties. 



B. moschata and B. multiflora are too well known to need detailed 

 mention. 



B. Lucia approaches the Japanese B. Wichuraiana in general aspect ; 

 this latter has been received at Kew from Japan under the name of B~ 

 Lucice. I have not yet seen the true plant in cultivation. 



B. Soulieana, described by Crepin in the Bulletin de la SocUU 

 Botanique de .Belgique xxxv. (189G), 20-23, was sent from Shen-si by 

 Father Soulie ; it has small white flowers, resembling in structure and 

 inflorescence B. moschata, but differing markedly from that species in the 

 form of the leaves and in the width of the bracts and sepals — and 

 particularly so in the form of the latter. I have seen B. Soulieana in 

 the fine collection of M. Maurice L. de Vilmorin at Les Barres. 



Group III. — Banksiana. — Bosa Banksice is too well known as a 

 wall plant in the South of England to need more than a passing mention. 



B. microcarpa is a very distinct small-fruited Rose, perhaps not in 

 cultivation now. 



The third Chinese species of this group is the so-called ' Cherokee * 

 Rose, B. Icevigata ; this frequently proved tender and flowered sparingly 



