Macartney's rose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Macartney's rose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Rosa sinica var. braamiana
• Rosa macartnea
• Ernestella bracteata
• Rosa bracteata var. scabricaulis
• Rosa bracteata var. taiwanensis
• Rosa bracteata var. typica

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Rosales and the family Rosaceae, it is classified under the genus Rosa. As a member of the Rosa bracteata species, it follows this specific hierarchical taxonomic structure.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a wide and diverse geographical distribution across several key regions. Within the Western Indian Ocean, it can be found growing in Madagascar. Its range extends significantly into China, specifically throughout the South-Central and Southeast territories. In Eastern Asia, the species is established in the Nansei-shoto islands. Finally, the distribution encompasses the island of Taiwan.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rosa bracteata is characterized by its specific altitudinal distribution within low-lying landscapes. This species thrives within a defined elevational range that begins at a minimum of 100 m AMSL and extends to a maximum of 300 m AMSL. Throughout its natural habitat, the plant maintains a mean elevation of approximately 200 m AMSL, indicating its preference for lowland ecological zones.

Elevational range max:

300 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

200 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

100 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rosa bracteata is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and establish a stable presence in its natural habitat. In terms of its foliage and seasonal adaptations, the species exhibits an evergreen nature, maintaining its leaves throughout the year rather than shedding them during specific climatic shifts.

Deciduousness :

evergreen

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rosa bracteata is characterized by a woody growth form, manifesting primarily as a shrub or subshrub. This plant is a terrestrial species that functions as an independent organism, showing no parasitic or epiphytic tendencies. As an obligatory climber, it utilizes structural support to ascend, reaching significant heights in its natural habitat. The plant height typically ranges from a minimum of 2 meters to a maximum of 5 meters, with an average height of approximately 3.5 meters.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

obligatory

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Growth form :

subshrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

5 m

Plant height mean:

3.5 m

Plant height min:

2 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rosa bracteata is characterized by its specific carbon fixation strategy and distinct foliar morphology. The plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a fundamental metabolic process that involves the direct fixation of carbon dioxide through the Calvin cycle. Its vegetative structure is defined by leaves that exhibit significant morphological variation; the leaf length typically averages 1.75 cm, with measurements ranging from a minimum of 1 cm to a maximum of 3.5 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width shows a mean value of 1.15 cm, fluctuating between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 2 cm. These dimensions reflect the plant's adaptive physiological capacity to manage gas exchange and light interception within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

3.5 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.75 cm

Leaf length min:

1 cm

Leaf width max:

2 cm

Leaf width mean:

1.15 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

Reproduction in Rosa bracteata is primarily driven by sexual processes facilitated by its distinct floral structures, which are essential for genetic diversity and seed production. The flowering stage is characterized by prominent blossoms that serve as the reproductive centers of the plant. These flowers exhibit significant morphological variation in size, with flower lengths typically ranging from a minimum of 4.5 cm to a maximum of 7 cm. These blooms attract various pollinators, which assist in the transfer of pollen between flowers, leading to fertilization. Following successful pollination, the plant develops fruit, which contains the seeds necessary for the next generation. While sexual reproduction via seeds is the primary method for long-distance dispersal and genetic recombination, the plant may also utilize vegetative propagation methods to expand locally through root systems or stem growth.

Flower length max:

7 cm

Flower length min:

4.5 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rosa bracteata has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include fruit.

Fruit

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials

Chemicals

Rosa bracteata has 1 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Calcium citrate.

Calcium citrate

1. Zhong yao cai = Zhongyaocai = Journal of Chinese medicinal materials