Rosa laevigata

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Rosa laevigata

Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Rosales
Family:	Rosaceae
Genus:	Rosa
Species:	R. laevigata
Binomial name
*Rosa laevigata* Michx.^[1]
Synonyms^[1]
Rosa amygdalifolia Ser. Rosa argyi H.Lév. Rosa camellia Siebold Rosa cherokeensis Donn ex Small Rosa cucumerina Tratt. Rosa hystrix Lindl. Rosa nivea DC. Rosa ternata Poir. Rosa triphylla Roxb.

Rosa laevigata, the Cherokee rose,^[2] is a white, fragrant rose native to southern China, Taiwan and Vietnam. It is an invasive species in countries including Australia, Japan and the United States.^[1]

Description

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It is an evergreen climbing shrub, scrambling over other shrubs and small trees to heights of up to 5–10 metres (16–33 ft). The leaves are 3–10 centimetres (1.2–3.9 in) long, with usually three leaflets, sometimes five leaflets, bright glossy green and glabrous. The flowers are 6–10 centimetres (2.4–3.9 in) diameter, fragrant, with pure white petals and yellow stamens, and are followed by bright red and bristly hips 2–4 centimetres (0.79–1.57 in) diameter. The flower stem is also very bristly.

Cultivation

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The species was introduced to the southeastern United States in about 1780, where it soon became naturalized, and was then given its English common name.

Cultural references

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The flower has no association to Cherokee culture. It is a non-indigenous invasive species that climbs over and smothers existing vegetation.

Though it has no connection to the Cherokee Nation, it is occasionally used as a symbol of Cherokee resistance following their eviction from the southern United States via the Trail of Tears.