ROSE, with smooth round seed-buds; peduncles and petioles of the
leaf smooth; the leaflets are egg-shaped, notched, and smooth;
flowers white; the stem and branches are very prickly; the prickles
straight, and nearly white.
* * * * *
Various are the opinions of cultivators with regard to what part of the
world this Rose is in reality indigenous. Its general appellation with
us is Common Scotch Rose; but Professor Afzelius, in his Observations on
Swedish Roses, claims it as a native of Sweden, finding great fault with
Linnæus for the inaccuracy of his description in confounding the
_pimpinellæfolia_ with the _spinosissima_; an error, we have little
doubt, originating merely from having two names for one individual
plant. There are two slight variations from this plant: the one rather a
taller plant, whose flowers and leaves are of a more luxuriant growth;
the other and most material is one, said to be of recent importation
from Holland, whose leaves are narrower, nor are the spines quite so
numerous or perfectly straight as on the true _spinosissima_, but yet it
is evidently the same plant. This slight variation of clime and culture,
it is not at all improbable, might be the cause of the above confusion:
we have so frequently seen it growing wild on the waste lands within ten
miles of London, that, although it may be a native of Sweden, it
nevertheless seems quite at home in Britain. The single flower beneath
represents what is called a Striped Variety; but it is often so nearly
white, that, until its character is more determined, we shall decline a
separate figure. It is very hardy, of a lively appearance, but no great
beauty. It is an early Rose, and possessed of several very handsome
varieties.
Our figure was made from the nursery of Mr. Williams, Turnham Green.
[Illustration]
ROSA spinosissima; _Var. flore marmoreo_.
_Thorny Rose; Marbled-flowered Variety._