Rose unarmed, with oblong seed-buds, and hispid petioles and
peduncles. Blossoms of a deep red purple. Leaves smooth. Leaflets
ovate, sharp-pointed, and sawed at the edges. Stem and branches
smooth. Fruit pendulous.
* * * * *
This thornless Rose may be almost considered as the exception to an
otherwise general rule. A specific so unequivocally good seldom occurs;
and yet this Rose, in the Hortus Kewensis, bears the name of
_pendulina_, from its pendulous fruit; a character common to several
other species. But had we not found this Rose to be as well known under
the name of _inermis_, as by the title of _pendulina_, we should not
(although for the better) have thought ourselves so well justified in
altering it; regarding names of no further value than as they give us
the most immediate direction to any object we may be in search of. It is
an early-blooming Rose with single-flowers of the finest purple colour;
and frequently blooms a second time in the autumn; but its flowers then
are not so large as in the early part of the season.
Our figure was drawn from a large plant in the nursery of Mr. Shailer.
[Illustration]
ROSA lucida.
_Shining-leaved or Macartney Rose._