XI. Lower Franconian Wild Roses
Since the beginning of scientific plant systematics, the genus Rosa L. has been a problematic case with regard to the circumscription and delimitation of individual species. One reason for this is its ability to form both intrasectional and intersectional hybrids. The genus comprises 150 to 200 species worldwide, 30 species are listed in the flora of Germany. Most of these species are still present in the Lower Franconian Flora (see: L. Meierott (2001) Kleines Handbuch zur Flora Unterfrankens).
Botanists have therefore been studying the rose flora of Lower Franconia for over two centuries and have compiled herbaria for their work.
1799 A.W.E.C. Wibel Wertheim physician and botanist
Primitiae Florae Werthemensis
12 rose species were described in the floristic area of the former county of Wertheim, which covers a large part of Lower Franconia.
1809Johann Friedrich Lehmann
Primae Lineae florae herbipolensis
Description of 7 rose species including 1 cultivar with exact locations in the immediate vicinity of Würzburg
1810/1811 Franz Xaver Heller
Flora Wirceburgensis (2 volumes and Supplementum)
Only 9 rose species including 4 cultivated roses in the then Grand Duchy of Würzburg were described. 4 further species in the Supplementum 1815.
1816 Ambrosius Rau
Enumeratio rosarum circa wirceburgum et pagos adjacentes sponte crescentium
24 species with many subspecies. New description of Rosa aciphylla.
1899 -1914 Gregor Kraus
"Zur Kenntnis der Würzburger Rosenflora"
(Nachlasspublikation Herausgeber H. Kniep)
16 species with 58 forms, 6 hybrids
The Herbarium Franconicum alone has 489 specimens of wild rose species with natural habitat data from Lower Franconia. These also include specimens from the floristic works of F.X. Heller. Heller, A. Rau and the estate publication by G. Kraus.
