Scientists discovered what the ancestor of the roses looked like

Roses are one of the most frequently handed flowers in the world and one of the most popular decorative plants. Their colors are attributed to various meanings – red is a symbol of love, while white, testifying to purity, form the basis of many wedding bouquets. According to research published in Nature Plants, long ago these flowers had a completely different color.

Researchers from the Beijing University of Forestry conducted a genome analysis of over 80 species and varieties of roses – from wild to arable. Flower samples have been genetic sequencing. Scientists managed to extract over 700 genes that helped them outline the evolutionary connections between the species of roses.

The reconstruction of the features showed that a joint ancestor of the samples tested was a yellow flower with a single row of petals and complex leaves divided into seven smaller leaves. As the wild roses were selectively bred and crossed, they developed new colors, color patterns and large, magnificent flowers with densely packed petals.

Currently, there are over 150-200 species of roses and over 35,000 arable varieties in the world, characterized by a wide range of flowering frequencies, smells and colors. Researchers explained that global climate change prompted breeders to pay attention to other features of plants. Varieties that are more resistant to environmental and easier to care are gaining popularity.

According to scientists, “borrowing” genetic resources from wild varieties is a promising strategy in breeding such varieties. They added, understanding of origin and evolution of the genus Dew It can not only accelerate breeding efforts, but also help protect endangered varieties of roses.