Silky Rose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Silky Rose
• Mount Omei rose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

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, it is classified under the family Rosaceae. Finally, its taxonomic identity is defined by the genus Rosa.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a diverse geographical range across several key regions in Asia. In China, its distribution extends through the South-Central territories as well as the high-altitude regions of Tibet. Moving toward the Indian Subcontinent, it can be found growing in the lush landscapes of Assam. The species is also widely documented throughout the East Himalaya mountain range. Finally, its natural habitat includes the mountainous terrain of Nepal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Rosa sericea is defined by its significant adaptability across diverse montane landscapes, occupying a broad vertical distribution within its habitat. This species thrives across a substantial altitudinal gradient, ranging from lower montane zones at a minimum elevation of 1,200 m AMSL to high-altitude environments that reach a maximum of 4,600 m AMSL. The ecological niche of the plant is most characteristically represented at a mean elevation of approximately 3,075 m AMSL, suggesting that it is primarily optimized for subalpine and alpine conditions. This wide elevational range indicates an ability to withstand varying temperature regimes, UV intensities, and atmospheric pressures associated with high-altitude ecosystems.

Elevational range max:

4600 m AMSL

Elevational range mean:

3075 m AMSL

Elevational range min:

1200 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Rosa sericea is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody plant, its life cycle involves a continuous process of vegetative growth and seasonal reproduction, rather than the rapid turnover seen in annuals or biennials. Throughout its lifespan, the plant undergoes periodic cycles of flowering and fruit production, supported by a robust root system that enables it to survive dormant phases and re-emerge during favorable environmental conditions. This perennial nature ensures its ability to establish a stable presence within its ecosystem, contributing to its long-term survival and reproductive success over many years.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Rosa sericea is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically manifesting as a shrub. This plant typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 1 m to a maximum of 2 m, with a mean height of approximately 1.5 m. Although it exhibits self-supporting characteristics in its climbing nature, it does not function as an obligatory or facultative liana or vine. As a terrestrial species, it grows independently and is not a parasite, maintaining a non-parasitic, independent life cycle.

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

2 m

Plant height mean:

1.5 m

Plant height min:

1 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Rosa sericea is characterized by a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which governs its carbon fixation processes and metabolic efficiency. The leaf morphology exhibits specific dimensional variations that support its physiological functions, with leaf lengths ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a mean of 1.4 cm, reaching a maximum of 2 cm. Correspondingly, the leaf width displays a distribution between a minimum of 0.5 cm and a maximum of 0.8 cm, maintaining a mean width of 0.65 cm. These morphological parameters reflect the structural adaptations of the plant's photosynthetic organs as they facilitate gas exchange and light absorption within its specific ecological niche.

Leaf length max:

2 cm

Leaf length mean:

1.4 cm

Leaf length min:

0.8 cm

Leaf width max:

0.8 cm

Leaf width mean:

0.65 cm

Leaf width min:

0.5 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Rosa sericea is characterized by a seasonal flowering cycle that typically begins in May and continues through September. During this period, the plant produces flowers that vary in size, with a minimum length of 2.5 cm reaching up to a maximum of 5 cm. Following pollination, the plant develops fruit (hips) that exhibit specific dimensional ranges; the fruit length typically averages 1.15 cm, ranging from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm. Similarly, the fruit width shows a mean measurement of 1.15 cm, with dimensions spanning from a minimum of 0.8 cm to a maximum of 1.5 cm.

Flower length max:

5 cm

Flower length min:

2.5 cm

Flowering time :

May

Flowering time :

Sep

Fruit length max:

1.5 cm

Fruit length mean:

1.15 cm

Fruit length min:

0.8 cm

Fruit width max:

1.5 cm

Fruit width mean:

1.15 cm

Fruit width min:

0.8 cm

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Rosa sericea 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. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Chemicals

Rosa sericea has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Terpenoids.

Flavonoids

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Terpenoids

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Activities

Rosa sericea has 1 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antioxidant.

Antioxidant

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)

Preparations

Rosa sericea has 1 reported preparations identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include extracts.

Extracts

1. Foods (Basel, Switzerland)