Rosaceae (Rose Family)

With 3,000 species and 100 genera, there is a high degree of variation amoung the constituents. In a way it falsifies the statement that a "rose is a rose is a rose." Yet then again, what doe we call a rose? Is a "rose by any other name still a rose?"

The family contains the roses that we use for valentines and special ocassions. Other roses are the Strawberry (Fragaria sp), and rasberry (Rubus sp) both of which have many wild relatives of the cultivated forms. In fact, strawberries appear to be more typical of the family than the common red rose purchased in floral shops. -

Systematics: This family is made up of several sub-families that have varying degrees of compoundment of the pistils. Most species have superior ovaries but one subfamily even has an inferior ovary. There are typically 5 sepals and 5 petals. There is a nectariferous glandular disk thats usually present. Often there is an epicalyx of 5 bracts. There are many stamen. Often there is an epigynous or perygynous zone.

	Burnet Sanguisorba sp.		Cloudberry Rubus chamaemorus
	Marsh Fivefinger Potentilla palustris		Mountain Ash Sorbus sp.
	Nagoonberry Rubus arctics		Raspberry Rubus idaeus
	Rose Rosa sp.		Salmonberry Rubus spectabilis
	Serviceberry Amelanchier sp.		Shrubby Cinquefoil Potentilla fruticosa
	Silverweed Potentilla answerina		Silverweed Potentilla egedii
	Strawberry Fragaria sp.		.