Cherokee rose facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Cherokee rose |
|
|---|---|
 |
|
| Scientific classification | |
| Genus: |
Rosa
|
| Species: |
laevigata
|
The Cherokee rose (its scientific name is Rosa laevigata) is a lovely white, sweet-smelling rose. It originally grew in southern China and Taiwan. You can also find it in countries like Laos and Vietnam. In the United States, it is considered an invasive species, meaning it grows very easily and can sometimes take over areas.
What the Cherokee Rose Looks Like
The Cherokee rose is an evergreen plant. This means its leaves stay green all year round. It's a climbing shrub, which means it grows by scrambling over other plants. It can climb very high, sometimes reaching up to 5 to 10 meters (about 16 to 33 feet) tall!
Its leaves are usually 3 to 10 centimeters (about 1 to 4 inches) long. Each leaf typically has three small parts called leaflets. Sometimes, it can have five leaflets. The leaves are bright, shiny green and feel smooth.
The flowers of the Cherokee rose are quite large. They are usually 6 to 10 centimeters (about 2 to 4 inches) wide. They smell wonderful and have pure white petals. In the middle of the flower, you'll see bright yellow stamens, which are the parts that hold pollen. After the flowers bloom, they turn into bright red, bristly fruits called hips. These hips are about 2 to 4 centimeters (about 1 to 2 inches) wide. The stem that holds the flower is also very bristly.
How the Cherokee Rose Came to the U.S.
The Cherokee rose was brought to the southeastern United States around the year 1780. It quickly started to grow on its own there. Because it grew so well and spread naturally, people started calling it the Cherokee rose. This is how it got its common English name in America.
More Information
You can also find information about the Cherokee rose in Spanish: Rosal de los cheroqui para niños
