Abstract
Wild growing rose species are of great importance as a source of pollen for insects. Oil extracted from the petals of various <em>Rosa</em> species is used in perfumery, cosmetic industry, and therapeutics. In our study, we compared the flowering duration and flower lifespan, the number of stamens and pistils, the mass and size of pollen grains as well as the anatomical features of the petals of four <em>Rosa</em> species: <em>R. canina</em>, <em>R. ×damascena</em>, <em>R. gallica</em>, and <em>R. rugosa</em>. Moreover, we examined the pollen loads collected by bumblebees foraging on rose flowers in order to determine the attractiveness of pollen of this genus to insects. We showed the flower lifespan to vary (3.5–8 days) in the roses studied and revealed high variation in the number of stamens (82–260) and pistils (17–65) as well as in the mass of pollen produced. The flowers of <em>R. rugosa</em> produced the highest amount of pollen (26.7 mg per flower), while the flowers of <em>R. canina</em> the least (3.3 mg per flower), which is associated with differences in the number of stamens developed in the flowers between these species. The largest pollen grains were found in <em>R. </em>×<em>damascena</em> and <em>R. gallica</em>. We demonstrated that <em>R. ×damascena</em> produces the thickest petals and that scent-emitting papillae found on the adaxial surface of the petals differ in size and shape in the rose species investigated.
Highlights
The genus Rosa includes about 200 species growing only in the northern hemisphere
The flowers of R. rugosa produced the highest amount of pollen (26.7 mg per flower), while the flowers of R. canina the least (3.3 mg per flower), which is associated with differences in the number of stamens developed in the flowers between these species
We demonstrated that R. ×damascena produces the thickest petals and that scent-emitting papillae found on the adaxial surface of the petals differ in size and shape in the rose species investigated
Summary
16 species of this genus are found in the wild in Poland [1], while some other ones mention 32 species [2]. Due to their androecium of numerous stamens, wild rose species provide food resources for insects as a rich source of pollen [3]. Rose oil is used in perfumery, cosmetic industry, and therapeutics. It exhibits antiseptic and antiinflammatory activity, and accelerates healing of wounds [5,9,10]. The scent of the flowers of individual rose species may significantly vary
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