rio — ROSA GALLICA, var. VERSICOLOR Thory 
ROSA MUNDI 
Rosa gallica, var. versicolor : a typo recedit petalis albo et rubro variegatis. 
R. gallica versicolor Thory in Redoutd, Roses, vol. i. p. 135, t. (1817). 
R. versicolor Roessig, Die Rosen, No. 14 (1802-1820). 
Prickles unequal on the flowering shoots. Leaflets 7, large, simply serrated, 
pointed at the top, rounded or cordate at the base, glabrous on the upper surface, 
pubescent beneath ; petioles pubescent and aciculate ; stipules simple, with gland- 
ciliated free tips. Flowers generally 3 ; peduncles densely aciculate. Calyx-tube 
turbinate ; lobes simple, with a long gland-ciliated point. Petals broad, variegated 
and striped with white on red. 
The name of versicolor has been given to two different Roses, and 
has been in use for many years ; this has led to a certain amount of 
confusion which it is difficult to overcome. One of the Roses is a fine 
variegated gallica form ; the other, one of the earliest Roses known to 
have been grown in English gardens, is nearly allied to the Damask 
Rose, and was called Rosa versicolor by Parkinson. Thus we have 
a gallica versicolor and a Damask versicolor. Both are occasionally 
spoken of as Rosa Mundi and also as the York and Lancaster Rose. 
The present Rose is the gallica form ; it is a fine, handsome Rose of 
showy appearance and good constitution. Of its introduction into this 
country we have no record. Various origins are suggested for the 
name Rosa Mundi , the more generally accepted versions connecting 
it with Fair Rosamund, but this is probably only in the sense that the 
raiser of any new flower gives it whatever name his fancy suggests. 
The gallica Rose having been common in gardens throughout Europe 
from very early times, it is not of course impossible that the connection 
of Rosa Mundi with Fair Rosamund may have been less remote, but 
this is pure conjecture. We know, however, from the constant 
allusions in the older gardening books that Rosa Mundi has been 
grown in English gardens for many a long year, and it was certainly 
the precursor of the numerous variegated Roses, many of which are 
descended from it either directly or indirectly. 
1 Paradisus , p. 414 (1629). 
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