How to distinguish between Chinese roses and roses
This article will discuss how to differentiate between Chinese roses and roses, and provide an explanation of the differences between these two plants in the greenery and flower category. Below, the editor will give you a detailed answer.
Many flower enthusiasts cannot tell the difference between roses and Chinese roses because the roses sold on the street look exactly like the Chinese roses we cultivate, yet the sellers insist on calling them roses! This confuses us, making us wonder if roses and Chinese roses are the same. However, they are not the same; roses are roses, and Chinese roses are Chinese roses. Although they both belong to the Rosaceae family, there are still differences. Today, I will talk about the differences between roses and Chinese roses.
Thorns differ in number
Roses have many more thorns on their stems than Chinese roses, with dense, hard thorns covering the branches. It's easy to get pricked while picking them, which is why there is the saying, "Beautiful but thorny roses, which are hard to pick." Some flower enthusiasts may say that Chinese roses have thorns too, and some varieties even have a lot of them! Indeed, some Chinese roses do have many thorns, but even at their worst, they don't have as many as roses! Moreover, the thorns on Chinese roses are usually larger and spaced apart. Roses, on the other hand, have both large and small thorns, making them impossible to handle! Therefore, roses are not suitable for bouquets to be given as gifts, as they can leave one's hands covered in thorns. Even with modern de-thorning machines, the dense and varied sizes of rose thorns make it difficult to remove them all.
The leaves are different
Both roses and Chinese roses belong to the Rosaceae family, and their leaves look similar, but there are differences. Chinese roses usually have 5 to 7 smooth, flat, and glossy small leaves, while roses have 5 to 9 small leaves, which are more numerous and look a bit wrinkled, with a dull color and a bumpy texture when touched. The leaves of Chinese roses are generally darker in color, while the leaves of roses are lighter, with a yellow-green color instead of a dark green.
The blooming time after cutting is different
Most Chinese roses can bloom for about five to seven days after being cut for propagation, making them very suitable for cutting. Even if they are not propagated, the cut Chinese roses can maintain their shape for more than ten hours without strong sunlight or strong wind. Roses, on the other hand, do not fare as well. After being cut, the flowers quickly wilt, and their shape becomes a mess. Even if placed in water immediately after cutting, it is difficult to maintain their original beauty. Due to the susceptibility of rose flowers to wilting, roses are also not suitable for sending as gifts, as they may already be wilted by the time they are given away.
How to distinguish between Chinese roses and roses
Are the "roses" sold in flower shops Chinese roses or real roses?
The "roses" sold in flower shops are actually all Chinese roses. Why is that? As mentioned earlier, roses have many thorns and wilt easily after cutting, making them unsuitable for gifts or flower arrangements. Chinese roses, on the other hand, have bright colors, few thorns, and can bloom for a long time after cutting, making them perfect for bouquets. So why are Chinese roses called roses? Because roses symbolize love, and different numbers and colors of roses represent friendship, auspiciousness, beauty, and wishes. Calling Chinese roses roses can attract more people to buy them, giving them a better meaning! Therefore, the roses we buy in everyday life are not real roses but Chinese roses! For example, varieties like Carol, Peach Blossom Snow Mountain, Red Bride, and Blue Demoness are all types of Chinese roses.
So, what do real roses look like? The most representative ones are the edible roses in Yunnan, used for making fresh flower cakes and rose sugar. There are also the Ku Shui roses in Gansu, used for brewing tea, and the Pingyin roses in Shandong, also used for making flower tea. This makes it easy to see that most roses are edible rather than ornamental. In fact, roses can also be ornamental, but their ornamental value is really not as high as that of Chinese roses.
The above is a detailed explanation of how to distinguish between Chinese roses and roses and describe their differences. I hope it can be helpful to you!