Differences between Chinese roses and roses
Everytime during the blooming season, some people mistake Chinese roses for roses, as these two sister flowers from the Rosaceae family are often confused in flower markets and horticulture. In fact, from the thorn shapes on the stems to the petal textures, from the leaf luster to the scent concentration, they all carry unique identity codes. Mastering these identification tips can not only enhance horticultural cultivation but also provide practical references for selecting flowers for festivals and planting in gardens.
Observation of stem thorn shape comparison
Characteristics of Chinese rose thorns
Chinese rose branches are often a greenish color, with thorns spaced far apart and distributed in a triangular pyramid shape, with the spacing between mature plant thorns reaching 3-5 centimeters. The tips of new branches are slightly soft, while the older branches become woody and form hard hook-shaped thorns.
Features of rose thorns
Rose branches are generally deep brown, with dense fine thorns covering the stem like a绒毯. New thorns are downy, and as they mature, they form barbed structures that can easily catch on when touched by hand.
Key points for identifying floral structures
Differences between Chinese roses and roses
Analysis of Chinese rose morphology
Modern Chinese roses, after years of hybridization and cultivation, can have a single flower diameter of up to 15 cm and up to 80 petals. The calyx has only 1 piece that is reflexed, and the full bloom period lasts for 5-7 days, requiring daily water changes for cut flowers in a vase.
Unique identifiers of roses
Traditional roses usually have no more than 30 petals and a standard cup-shaped flower form. The 5 calyxes are upright and point upwards to form a star shape, and the white patterns at the base of the petals are important identification features.
Differences in leaf texture
Characteristics of Chinese rose leaf surface
The compound leaves consist of 3-5 small, glossy, and smooth leaves with shallow锯齿 edges. New leaves in spring often have a purple-red hue, and under strong sunlight, semi-transparent glandular dots can be seen.
Details of rose leaves
The compound leaves consist of 7-9 small leaves that are flexible in texture, with sunken veins forming distinct wrinkles. The leaf undersides are densely covered with绒毛 to reduce water evaporation, which is a survival strategy in dry environments.
The mysteries of fragrance and blooming periods
The rose essential oil content is 30 times that of Chinese roses, with the scent molecules most active in flowers picked early in the morning. Chinese roses mostly bloom intermittently, while traditional roses bloom only in the spring, which is why rose essential oil is so precious.
After mastering these identification techniques, you can try planting the two plants together: use Chinese roses to create a four-season flower wall, and use roses to set up a herb garden. When buying a bouquet next time, observing the calyx shape can accurately identify the flowers – an upright star-shaped calyx is a real rose, while a reflexed single calyx is a Chinese rose cut flower.