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The Rosaceae family consists of about 115 genera and 3200 species. The members of the family are worldwide in distribution. Such as Rose Gulab (Rosa indica). They are found in temperate and cold regions. The family is important for its valuable fruit plants and beautiful and fragrant flowers.
The common representative genera are: Rosa indica (gulab), Prunus spp (badam, khubani, alu bokhara), Pyrus communis (nashpati), Eriobotrya japonica (locate), Fragaria (strawberry), Potentilla, (a medicinal plant) and Malus sp (seb).
Family Rosaceae Rosa indica Flower
Distinguishing Features
Herb. shrubs or tree, stipulate alternate simple or compound leaves, flower hermaphrodite, actinomorphic, hypo or perigynous. calyx 5 united, corolla 5 to many, stamen numerous, ovary is with single to many carpals.
The representative species is Rosa indica (gulab – rose).
Rosa indica (Gulab – Rose)
Habit
A prickly climbing shrub. The flowers are a source of an essential oil, oil of roses.
Root
Tap root, branched.
Stem
Erect, branched, prickly.
Leaf
Cauline and ramal, stipulate (stipules adnate the petiole), imparipinnately compound, rachis bears prickles.
Leaflet
Stalked, ovate, serrate margins, reticulate unicostate.
Inflorescence
Cymose Solitary terminal or axillary.
Flower
Bracteate (bracts rarely persistent), pedicellate, complete, actinomorphic, bisexual, perigynous, flowers: yellow, red, white or pink
calyx
Five sepals, gamosepalous, tubular, inferior.
Corolla
Petals 5 to indefinite, polypetalous, rosaceous, colored, scented, inferior.
Androecium
Stamens indefinite, polyandrous, anthers basifixed, inferior.
Gynoecium
Polycarpellary, apocarpous, ovary superior with a single ovule, placentation basal, stigma terminal, ovule solitary.
Floral Formula: K(5) C∞ A∞ G∞ _
Floral Diagram of Rosa indica
Economic Importance of the Family.
This cosmopolitan family is very rich in its contribution to the pleasure and welfare of mankind.
Source of Fruits
It includes apples, pears, quinces, peaches, apricots, almond, strawberries, blackberries, raspberries and several other edible fruits which are of immense values.
Ornamental Plants
Several beautiful flowering shrubs belong to this family, especially the roses.
Source of Gulkand
The petals of rose have a purgative property and are used in the manufacture of gulkand, a laxative.
Source of Perfume
Many kinds of scents obtained from various species of rose etc.
Source of Medicine
Ark gulab (Rose water) is used as medicine for eye diseases.
Bitter and Astringent
The root and bark of some plants are bitter and astringent.
Poison
Several members abound in an acrid waiery juice which is more or less narcotic in its effect in the animal frame-work. Among these, the most important is Conium (Hemlock) part of plant, especially the fresh leaves and green fruits contain a volatile oily alkali called coniine, which is so poisonous that a few drops soon prove fatal to small animals. It acts on the nervous system and is a valuable medicine in small doses in cancerous and nervous diseases. Several British species, especially of Oenathe, Cicuta and Aethusa are also poisonous and their fleshy roots are very deadly to all kinds of live-stock and have many times been fatal to man.