Rose with smooth, egg-shaped seed-buds, and hispid peduncles.
Flowers white, and semi-double. Leaves nearly of a glaucous green.
Leaflets broadly egg-shaped, sharp-pointed, with serrated margins.
Stem between erect and spreading, nearly smooth on the upper part,
but furnished with strong spines towards the base.
* * * * *
This semi-double Rose so nearly resembles the single in its habit and
foliage, that it can only be regarded as a florescent variety; for, when
the plant is not in bloom, it is scarcely possible to distinguish the
one from the other: but when in flower it certainly forms a very
distinct appearance from its original, and is by far the more desirable
plant: not that its beauty is by any means considerable; but as it
preserves a regular progressive approach to completely double flowers,
(generally regarded as the perfection of the plant,) it is on that
account particularly estimable. Like its original, it is only retained
by those who wish to have every distinct Rose, to form a complete
collection. Its flowers are of a fine white, but not of long
continuance. The foliage is of a blueish or glaucous green. In habit,
its native origin (the wild species) is very discernible. It is at
present rather a scarce plant, from not possessing attraction sufficient
to recommend it as an object of general culture.
[Illustration]
ROSA spinosissima, _rubra_; _Var. flore pleno_.
_Red Thorny Rose; Double-flowered Variety._