Rose family
Description
A large and heterogeneous family of herbs, shrubs and trees, cosmopolitan in distribution, but mostly in temperate zones (Rosaceae 1).
Occasionally stemthorns occur. The leaves are simple or compound, usually alternate, often with petiolar glands. The flowers are usually large and conspicuous, regular, in variable colours except blue. There are usually 4 or 5 free sepals and petals, and numerous stamens (Rosaceae 2). The fruits are very varied and are an important feature for the subdivision of the family.
In the subfamily Maloideae the carpels are fused to each other and to the receptacle cup. During ripening the receptacle swells to form a pome, enclosing the cartilaginous carpel walls. This subfamily is of great economic importance as it yields fruits like apples and pears, quinces and loquats.
In the subfamily Prunoideae the fruit is a 1-seeded drupe with a fleshy outer wall and a stony inner wall. These fruits are known as almonds, apricots, cherries, plums and peaches.
The subfamily Rosoideae produces clusters of 1-seeded drupelets aggregated into a compound fleshy fruit like blackberries and raspberries, and rose hips, developed from calyx tubes that become fleshy.
Described species
Fragaria sp., strawberry
Fragaria chiloensis, see Fragaria sp.
Fragaria virginiana, see Fragaria sp.
Malus pumila, apple
Pyrus communis, pear
Prunus amygdalus, almond
Prunus armeniaca, apricot
Prunus avium, sweet cherry
Prunus cerasus, sour cherry, see Prunus avium
Prunus domestica, European plum
Prunus spinosa, blackthorn or sloe, see Prunus domestica
Prunus ceracifera, cherry plum, see Prunus domestica
Prunus salicina, Japanese plum, see Prunus domestica
Prunus insititia, bullace, see Prunus domestica
Prunus persica, peach
Rubus idaeus, raspberry
Rubus phoenicolasius, wineberry, see Rubus idaeus
Rubus occidentale, see Rubus idaeus
Rubus strigosa, see Rubus idaeus
Rubus fruticosus, blackberry
Rubus alleghaniensis, loganberry, see Rubus fruticosus
Rubus loganobaccus, loganberry, see Rubus fruticosus
Cydonia vulgaris, quince
Eriobotrya japonica, loquat or Japanese medlar
Mespilus germanica, medlar
Rosa canina, dog rose