Rosa indica L.
Vernacular name: Indian Fragrant Rose, Desi Gulab (Hindi: देसी गुलाब)
Species Name: Rosa indica L.
Family: Rosaceae
Habit: Erect prickly shrub
Stem: Woody, branched, curved prickles or almost absent.
Leaf: Evergreen compound, 3-5(-7) oval leaflets, deep green shiny above.
Flowering: January-April
Flowers: Solitary terminal or short panicles; fragrant double flowers red-white; gamosepalous calyx with long thread-like tips; many polypetalous petals imbricate; numerous stamens on hypanthium; superior ovary, long free hairless styles
Fruit: Ovoid to pear-shaped smooth hip
Uses:
- Flowers commercially distilled for attar/rose oil, rose water, gulkand confection.
- Plant has antidepressant, antifungal, antimicrobial, antibacterial, anti-inflammatory; stomach disorders and menstrual regulator properties(Ayurveda) and is effective against oral thrush and candidiasis.
- Rose buds and petal extracts are used in traditional medicines to alleviate asthma, excessive thirst and acts as natural diuretic for gallbladder and kidney stones.
- Essential oils extracted from flower contains tannins and flavonoids that makes it useful in cosmetic industry for anti-aging and anti-solar properties.
- Oils extracted from flowers also acts as cardiac tonics and used in aromatherapy to alleviate stress and depression.
- China/Indo-China native; widely cultivated India; garden escape ornamental.
- Garlands in South India; sacred Hindu worship; “Pannirpushpam” Tamil weddings
