Rose (Family Rosaceae)

 

The Rosaceae or Rose Family is a large family of flowering plants,

with about 2830 species in 95 genera. The name is derived from the

type genus Rosa. Among the largest genera are Alchemilla (270),

Sorbus (260), Crataegus (260), Cotoneaster (260), and Rubus (250).

The largest genus by far is Prunus (plums, cherries, peaches, apricots

and almonds) with about 430 species. However, all of these numbers

should be seen as underestimates - much taxonomic work is left to

be done before the Rosaceae family is fully understood.

 

Roses can be herbs, shrubs or trees. Most species are deciduous, but

some are evergreen. They have a worldwide range, but are most di-

verse in the northern hemisphere.

 

Several economically important products come from the Rosaceae,

these include many edible fruits (such as apples, apricots, plums,

cherries, peaches, pears, raspberries, and strawberries), almonds,

and ornamental trees and shrubs (such as roses, meadowsweets,

photinias, firethorns, rowans, and hawthorns).

 

 

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