Nineteenth century French rose (Rosa sp.) germplasm
shows a shift over time from a European to an Asian genetic
background
See:
I found some of the data they used quite interesting, in that they determined ploidy for a number of roses, some of which hadn’t been tested before, and others which had, but where the new results were different from the old. Some I didn’t expect:
Archiduc Charles (Gallica) 3x
Cardinal de Richelieu (Gallica) 3x
Cuisse de Nymphe Emue 3x (but other samples, “Cuisse de Nymphe” and “Maiden’s Blush Small” were 6x as expected)
Duc d’Angouleme (Centifolia) 3x
Gloire des Rosomanes 4x
Ispahan 4x
Jeanne d’Arc (Alba) 2x
Lady Penzance 6x
La Negresse (Damask) 3x
Meg Merrilies 6x
Mogador 2x
Moise 3x
R. arkansana 5x
R. arkansana, Corsley form 6x
R. beggeriana nigrescens 3x
R. californica (2 samples) 2x
R. pendulina (listed as Rosier des Alpes) 3x, but R. pendulina amadis and pyrenaica = 4x
R. pendulina gracilis 3x
Slater’s Crimson China 3x
Ville de Bruxelles 3x
The more extensive genetic tests they did also contained some surprises, like finding that Petite Lisette had common markers with a group made up almost exclusively of hybrid eglanteria cultivars, possibly explaining why an 1817 “alba-damask” has shiny foliage. They also say they tested R. centifolia simplex, which I had thought long extinct.
They cover over 1200 roses, so I can’t provide anything more than a few teasers, but there’s interesting stuff there for those who want to dig. They list the origins of all specimens, so if you find some which you can’t believe, at least you know who to blame.