Rosa gallica L. var. officinalis (Hort. ex Andrews) Ser. en el norte de Alicante (Comunidad Valenciana)

Zusammenfassung

A good naturalised population of Rosa gallica L. var. officinalis (hort. ex Andrews) Ser. has been located in a margin of the local road CV 795, in the kilometer 17 near Ulls Canals, within the term of Banyeres de Mariola. This corresponds to the second population known in Alicante, being the first one located close to the coast in the Marina Alta region. Called as Provins rose or provincialis (Provence) is one of the roses grown in Europe since oldest, probably the first. It appears drawn in some Pompeii’s frescoes, it was also the pharmacies rose ("Officinalis") and it corresponds to the famous red rose or Lancanster’s Rose, symbol of this squad in the English Civil War called "The Two Roses". Its cul- tivation in Spain was very important and was often cited in old botanical literature, where it was called "Rose of Castile". Over time, the field abandonment reduces its presence and only appears naturalised in a few Spanish provinces, although a small-scale cultivation in rose gardens and private collections is still maintained. Indeed, in the “Pere Dot” Rose Garden of Torretes Botanical Garden (Ibi) two of the many botanical varieties recognized and some cultivars and hybrids of this rose, which we acquired in foreign collections are maintained in culture. The finding of this naturalised material probably from ancient cultures in this area, has a great ethnobotanical value and could have genetic value. Although no significant differences in its morphology has been found, it has been vegetatively propagated and will be included in the Rose Gar- den of the Torretes Botanical Garden soon, along with herbarium specimens and seeds.