Taxonomic Review of the Genus Rosa

Species of the genus Rosa have always been known for their beauty, healing properties and nutritional value. Since only a small number of properties had been studied, attempts to classify and systematize roses until the 16th century did not give any results. Botanists of the 17th and 18th century paved the way for natural classifications. At the beginning of the 19th century, de Candolle and Lindley considered a larger number of morphological characters. Since the number of described species became larger, division into sections and subsections was introduced in the genus Rosa. Small differences between species and the number of transitional forms lead to taxonomic confusion and created many different classifications. This problem was not solved in the 20th century either. In addition to the absence of clear differences between species, the complexity of the genus is influenced by extensive hybridization and incomplete sorting by origin, as well as polyploidy. Different analytical methods used along with traditional, morphological methods help us clarify the phylogenetic relations within the genus and give a clearer picture of the botanical classification of the genus Rosa. Molecular markers are used the most, especially AFLPs and SSRs. Nevertheless, phylogenetic relationships within the genus Rosa have not been fully clarified. The diversity of the genus Rosa has not been specifically analyzed in Croatia until now