Rosa bracteata

Rosa bracteata – bracteata referring to the notable bracts below the flowers – is commonly referred to as the Macartney rose. Its name links back to a German botanist, Johann Christoph Wendland, who is credited with naming the species. The name Macartney rose originates from the mid 18th century, when it was named after George Macartney, the 1st Earl Macartney in England. According to the Global Invasive Species Database, this rose is also referred to by other names – though less commonly – such as the Chickasaw rose and the fragrant white climbing rose, both of English origin, and shuo bao qiang wei, which is of Chinese origin. ==Description==

The Macartney rose is native to southern China and Taiwan, but is now considered to be an invasive species across many states in the United States ever since its introduction as an ornamental plant. ==Distribution and habitat==

Rosa bracteata is a highly adaptable plant and can grow in highly disturbed areas. This species was introduced into the United States from Asia, and is only found within the lower 48 states, mostly in the southeastern United States. ==Morphology and ecology==

Rosa bracteata is a perennial evergreen shrub that often forms dense clumps. ==Genomics==

In 2026, a chromosome-scale genome assembly of Rosa bracteata was published using long-read sequencing and Hi-C scaffolding technologies. The genome assembly is approximately 540 Mb in length and organized into seven pseudochromosomes, consistent with the species’ diploid chromosome number (2n = 14). The study predicted 42,789 protein-coding genes and reported high assembly completeness. ==Invasive species==

Rosa bracteata has been a major concern as an invasive species for those raising livestock. Infestations of Rosa bracteata tend to clump together and create thickets that can be up to three meters high which cause issues for movement of livestock and its quick proliferation saps nutrients from surrounding species, stunting their growth. ==Usage==

Rosa bracteata was once used in Texas as a "living fence" for livestock grazing, although it was originally introduced from Asia as an ornamental plant. Roses were also worn in ceremonies, made into perfumes, and were an integral part of everyday life in India among both the elite classes and non-elite ones. ==History==

This rose species is thought to originate from the Indian subcontinent in the Himalayas, an area rich with mythology, lore and spiritualism. Mentions of Rosa bracteata, or sometimes referred to by other names such as "sivapriya", can be found in scriptures dating back to the 1st century BC. Gautama the Buddha who is usually depicted meditating on a pedestal of lotuses, can be seen in a few depictions meditating on a pedestal of a five petalled rose resembling Rosa bracteata. Over time, the rose has been mentioned in Chinese history which was facilitated by trade between these regions. ==References==