ROSA MICROCARPA 
The species is well named, having the smallest fruits of the genus. It 
differs from Rosa Banksiae Ait. by its very compound inflorescence and 
its exterior sepals, which are spiny on the back, with pointed appendices 
spiny on the edges ; these characters are not found in the Banksian 
Roses. Rosa Banksiae has larger flowers and fruits, smaller umbellate 
corymbs and free styles. The two species are very distinct in habit 
and appearance, and when seen growing side by side cannot be 
confused. Crepin protested strongly against the assertion that Rosa 
microcarpa was but a wild shoot ( souche sauvage ) of Rosa Banksiae. 
He allowed that there existed certain general affinities between the two 
types, but with such well-marked essential differences that the idea of 
specific identity could not for a moment be entertained. Petiver in 
the early part of the eighteenth century figured Rosa microcarpa under 
the name of Rosa cheusan glabra, juniper i fructul More than a 
hundred years later Lindley gave it its present name. Petivers figure 
is cited by Linnaeus under Rosa indica , but the plants contained in his 
herbarium under this name are Rosa midtiflora Thunb. and the plant 
we now call Rosa chinensis Jacq. Lindley calls attention to this fact 
as demonstrating how imperfect must have been Linnaeus’ knowledge 
of Asiatic Roses when he referred Petivers excellent figure to such 
dissimilar plants as Rosa indica and Rosa multiflora. 
Rosa microcarpa is very variable in its degree of hairiness, and in 
the number and character of the spinuliform appendages to the sepals. 
Lindley cites Rosa microcarpa as having been collected by Staunton 
in the province of Canton. Hance found it fairly common on the hills 
around Amoy, and he also collected it near Foochow. Dr. Savatier 
gathered specimens in the cemetery at Ningpo and sent them to Crepin. 
In gardens where Rosa multiflora is to be found, it would be 
unnecessary to plant Rosa microcarpa , since these two Roses with their 
small panicled flowers and diminutive fruit closely resemble each other 
in general aspect. 
1 First described by him in Gazophylaciutn Naturae et Artis , p. 5 6, t. 35, fig. 11 (1704). 
