What Are The Parts Of A Rose Plant?

Roses are incredibly beautiful flowers that have long been considered a symbol of love. With over one hundred and fifty different species (and thousands of hybrids), they are one of nature’s most exquisite creations with their full blooms, enticing fragrance, and lush foliage. Right now, you may be wondering to yourself, ‘what are the parts of a rose plant?’

The two main (and most important) parts of a rose plant are the stamen (male component) and the pistil (female component). Other parts include the petals, sepals, leaves, and stems. Each of these also contains sub-parts that are all responsible for the growth and reproduction of the plant.

Below we delve into the details of what each of these parts is responsible for in the life cycle of the rose.

What are the Parts of Flowers?

The parts of a flower (such as the rose) include the following:

The Stamen

The stamen is part of the male reproductive structure of a flower. It consists of both the filament and the anther.

The Filament

The filament is the stalk-like part of the plant that attaches to the base of the flower. It also supports the anther, which houses the pollen.

The Anther

The anther is the sticky part at the top of the stigma. It is usually orange or yellow in color, oval-shaped and produces pollen that is essential for the continued life of the plant.

The Pistil

The pistil is part of the female reproductive structure of a flower. It is typically found in the center and consists of the ovary, style (or stalk) and stigma, all of which are referred to as the carpel. The term pistil is often used in reference to a single carpel or several carpels that are joined together.

The Ovary

The ovary is part of the female reproductive system of the flower and contains the female egg cells known as the ovules. The ovary is located above or below the petals or at the point where the petals meet the sepals. In the rose, each ovary produces a dry seed or ‘achene’.

The Style

The style is the long, slender, tube-like structure of the flower. It connects the stigma to the ovary. The style is vital to the fertilization process for two reasons. One, it is where the pollen tube is formed and two, it stops incompatible pollen from penetrating the ovary.

The Stigma

The stigma is the stem at the top of the pistil. It is part of the female reproductive system in the flower and the location whereby pollen germinates, essential for procreation and growth.

The Petals

The petals refer to the blooms of a flower. They are comprised of cellulose and other organic material. They are basically, modified leaves that surround the reproductive structure of the flower. Collectively, the petals are known as the corolla.

The Sepals

The sepals are the green foliage surrounding the flower. They protect both the petals and the buds, which are small knobs that eventually develop into blossoms. They also support the flower and allow for optimal growth. Sepals are comprised of chloroplasts, which is where photosynthesis takes place.

The Leaves

The leaves are the above-ground foliage that aid in gas exchange and as well as photosynthesis. They are often green, flat and absorb most of the sunlight necessary for the development of the plant. Leaves often contain stomata that open and close like pores, receiving air and carbon dioxide used during photosynthesis.

Roses have compound leaves made up of several leaflets. Old garden roses can have seven, nine or more leaflets depending on the age of the plant. The top leaflet is known as the terminal and is attached to the others by a small stem called the ‘petiole’.

The Stipule

The wing-like appendage at the base of a flower leaf is called the stipule. It is used to create energy for the plant and protect the leaves and buds as they grow. They also safeguard the flower from animals.

The Auricle

The very top or tip of the stipule is called the auricle. It is the small ear-like bump at the base of the leaves or petals on a flower.

The Stems

The stems of a flower are usually found above the soil surface but some can grow underground as well. Roses will produce stems of varying lengths depending upon their class. They have four main functions which include:

supporting the leaves and elevating the flowers
transporting water between the roots and the shoots, which consist of the stems, leaves and flower buds
storing nutrients from food sources
producing and developing new living tissue

New growth emanates from the point at which the leaf meets the stem. This is called the bud eye. The piece of the stem located between the highest point and the flower itself is called the peduncle.

The Peduncle

Peduncles are the thornless, soft-wooded areas of the stem and vary in both length and thickness, according to the type of rose. A small structure that is leaf-like in appearance and found partway down the peduncle is referred to as the bract.

How Many Ovules Does a Rose Have?

Each pistil of a rose contains an ovary. Each ovary contains a multitude of ovules. Some plants can have as many as sixteen hundred ovules per flower!

How Many Leaves Does a Rose Have?

Garden roses usually have five leaves whereas stem or ‘wild’ roses usually contain seven leaves per stem. Flowers of cultivated roses have double the amount of leaves with multiple sets of petals.

How Many Petals Does a Rose Have?

There is no exact number regarding how many petals a rose has. A ‘wild’ or ‘single’ rose typically has one row consisting of five petals but can have as many as twelve. The exception is the ‘rosa sericea’ which has only four petals.

Roses with thirteen to twenty-five petals in two or three rows are called ‘semi-double’ roses. Roses with more than twenty-five petals in two or three rows are usually called ‘double’ roses. Examples of these include the ‘tea’ or ‘china’ rose.

Roses with more than twenty-five petals in three or more rows are called ‘double’ roses. Extremely full flowers consisting of forty-five to fifty petals in numerous rows are called ‘very double’ roses. Some mutated species may have more (or less) petals but they almost always come in multiples of five.

How Many Pistils Does a Rose Have?

Most flowers in the rose family, especially those of the subfamilies, have several pistils. The number of pistils depends upon the type of rose.

How Many Sepals Does a Rose Have?

Roses typically have five sepals. The only exception is the ‘rosa sericea’, which, like its petals, has only four sepals.

How Many Stamens Does a Rose Have?

Each rose contains at least five stamens, however, the majority often contain many more! Stamens are almost always present in multiples of five. The total number of stamens depends upon the type of rose.

What Are the Characteristics of a Rose?

There are specific characteristics pertaining to the rose. These include the following:

contains multiple stamens
has leaves that grow in alternate patterns on the stem
is symmetrical in shape
has unconnected petals that number in five or multiples of five
contains prickles or thrones on the stems, which vary in size, shape and amount and can be used to identify one species of rose from another
has bisexual reproductive parts
comes in a variety of colors including red, pink, yellow and white

Summary

In summation, roses are often classified by the shape and color of their blooms. The two main parts of a flower are the stamen (male element) and the pistil (female element). Other parts include the petals, sepals, leaves, and stems, each of which contain sub-parts that collectively contribute to the growth and reproduction of the plant.

Knowing and recognizing the various parts that make up this beautiful flower will only add to your appreciation and enjoyment of it. So go ahead, embrace the old adage and ‘take time to stop and smell the roses.’