Rosa laevigata Michx.

A vigorous species with large prickles, attractive, glossy, trifoliate dark green leaves and solitary, flat, single, scented white flowers in summer, to 10cm across, with scalloped petals and golden stamens, followed by bristly, orange-red hips.  [Gore, Rivers (1854, 1857), Willmot, Don].

Horticultural & Botanical History

It was introduced into North America in the 19th century and readily naturalised there, hence the common name of ‘Cherokee Rose’.  ‘This has been cultivated in the gardens of Georgia for upwards of forty years under the name of the “Cherokee Rose”, but its origin is still obscure.  In our rural economy this plant will one day become very important.  For the purpose of forming hedges, there is perhaps no plant which unites so many advantages; and in quickness of growth, facility of culture, strength, durability, and beauty, it has perhaps no rival.’  [Elliot, Flora of South Carolina and Georgia, quoted in BM t.2847/1828].  Rivers includes this rose among the Banksian roses and speculated that the Chinese developed the double Banksian roses from Rosa sinica.

History at Camden Park

Listed in all publiahed catalogues [T.854/1843].  Possibly introduced by Macarthur to tests its possibilities as a hedging species.

Notes

Published Feb 10, 2010 - 08:46 PM | Last updated Aug 11, 2010 - 05:41 PM


Figured are pinnate leaves, single white flower and details of flower.  Curtis's Botanical Magazine t.2847, 1828.

Rosa laevigata Michx. | BM t.2847/1828 | BHL

More details about Rosa laevigata Michx.
Family Rosaceae
Category
Region of origin

South East Asia and China

Synonyms
  • Rosa sinica Ait.
  • Rosa trifoliata Bosc.
  • Rosa cherokeensis Donn
  • Rosa ternata Poir.
  • Rosa nivea DC.
  • Rosa hystrix Lindl.
Common Name

Cherokee rose, Three-leaved China rose

Name in the Camden Park Record

Rosa sinica 

Confidence level high