Rosa Gallica, The Gallic Rose, French Rose, Or Rose Of Provins Stock Image

Rosa gallica is not the kind of plant that demands attention when you see it in a nursery. The bush is on the small side, the pink flowers, rather plain -- single-petalled with golden stamens. Based on its appearance alone, you would never think that such a small, rather insignificant looking rose could be so important. But it is. R. gallica is the original Gallica -- the mother of all Gallicas. A very old rose, one of the oldest in fact, it was grown by the ancient Greeks and Romans and prized for its medicinal uses. All Gallica Roses descend from it as do many other roses. A prolific parent, it grows in many parts of the world. It was brought to North America by the colonists and from those plants, new forms developed. `Randall`, in western Canada, for instance, and `Red Run Around` in California. In France, of course, it is widespread, but interestingly enough since 1982, as more and more of the countryside has given way to urbanization, it has been placed on the endangered list. In 1759, Linneaus christened it R. gallica because a specimen had been sent to him from France.