Roses are red,

they have a lovely scent.

However, they do possess thorns,

and that’s not very pleasant.

Sigh. Another unsuccessful attempt at poetry. Nevertheless, we must continue. We must keep trying!

In addition to being the theme of countless poems, roses are one of the most popular and well-known flowers in the world today. A bouquet of roses can make your loved one swoon on Valentine’s Day!

Roses have been in existence for a very long time. Originating in the United States, the oldest fossilized imprint of a rose was discovered on a slate deposit in Florissant, Colorado. Scientists believe it is 35 million years old!

Throughout the years, roses have become such a beloved flower that gardeners have cultivated several thousand different varieties of roses! In fact, some experts estimate that there are over 30,000 different types of roses around the world today.

Roses are frequently mentioned in music lyrics and literature. They symbolize intense emotions, such as love and romance. The meaning of a rose can vary depending on its color.

For instance, yellow roses represent friendship. White roses symbolize purity and sincerity. The most popular color, red, conveys feelings of romance and passion.

The delicate petals of roses contain oils that can be used to create various perfumes and fragrances. Have you ever noticed how many perfumes try to replicate the sweet natural scent of a fresh rose?

Unfortunately, almost all roses come with thorns. Or do they? Although most people refer to the sharp projections that line rose stems as “thorns,” botanists would actually classify them as “prickles.”

In botanical terms, a “thorn” refers to a sharp and sturdy projection that is embedded into the woody structure of a plant’s stem or branches. Thorns are usually not easily broken off. “Prickles,” on the other hand, are smaller outgrowths from a plant’s outer layers, known as the epidermis. Since they are not deeply rooted within the plant, prickles are much easier to break off.

Unless you’re a botanist, you probably aren’t familiar with prickles, so for the sake of our discussion, we’ll refer to them as thorns. The bushes that roses typically grow on can be a prickly (pun completely intended!) hazard to unsuspecting hands trying to pick a precious flower. Some scientists speculate that roses may have thorns to protect themselves from being eaten by animals attracted by their delightful scent.

However, not all roses have thorns. Most do, but there are a very few varieties of completely thornless roses. There are also several varieties of “nearly thornless” roses, which have fewer thorns spaced farther apart than typical roses. These types of roses are ideal for planting along pathways or in gardens tended by young children.

Try It Out

Ready to expand your knowledge about roses? Find a friend or family member to assist you in exploring one or more of the following activities:

The Beauty and Mystery of Roses

• Are you a fan of roses? Why not take a virtual tour of the diverse range of rose colors and types available worldwide? Visit the Roses in Bloom online photo gallery to explore and discover your favorite roses. Which varieties captivate you the most? What colors surprise you? If you had the opportunity to plant three types of roses, which ones would you choose?
• Have you ever wondered why wild roses have thorns? Many years ago, Native Americans shared stories that sought to explain the natural phenomena they observed in their surroundings. Join forces with a friend or family member and delve into the Native American legend that reveals the origin of rose thorns: Why Wild Roses Have Thorns. Once you finish reading the story, engage in a discussion with your loved ones. Do you believe there is any truth to the legend? Or is it purely a myth? Did you enjoy the story? Why or why not?
• If you’re up for a challenge, try crafting your own story to explain something intriguing you encounter in the natural world. Simply observe your surroundings and question “Why?” when you come across something that piques your curiosity. Then, let your imagination run wild as you create a story that offers a possible explanation!

Sources of Wonder

• http://www.listmyfive.com/2797d2b4/The-Top-Five-Interesting-Facts-About-Roses
• http://www.buzzle.com/articles/rose-flower-facts.html
• http://www.native-indian-tribes.com/native-american-stories/why-wild-roses-have-thorns.htm
• http://www.heirloomroses.com/care/thornless-roses/
• http://indianapublicmedia.org/amomentofscience/a-rose-by-any-other-name/