Legend of the Cherokee Rose

[injunjoe]

When the Trail of Tears started in 1838, the mothers of the Cherokee were grieving and crying so much, they were unable to help their children survive the journey. The elders prayed for a sign that would lift the mother's spirits to give them strength. The next day, a beautiful rose began to grow where each of the mother's tears fell. The rose is white for their tears, a gold center represents the gold taken from Cherokee lands, and seven leaves on each stem for the seven Cherokee clans. The wild Cherokee Rose grows along the route of the Trail of Tears into eastern Oklahoma today.

injunjoe

 

[Greensage45]

This hits hard in my stomach. I have visualized this atrocity my entire life and I am still ashamed at people for such foolishness!

So, this rose, I am so glad to see her. I did not know this story and I am sure it must be because I am not in the same region for distribution, yet surprisingly, this is an introduced species. So this story is a touching one but of misrepresentation sadly. It is a worthy rose for such a title; perhaps it required itself to be an introduced species, otherwise how can it relate to an event unforeseeable such as this. Only spontaneous appearance could outshine and so no less a miracle to have this rose duly named! :coolsun

Cherokee Rose
Rosa laevigata

Cherokee rose was introduced into the U.S. from Asia. It has been traditionally planted for use as an ornamental, livestock containment, and wildlife habitat....

..from this website http://www.threatsummary.forestthreats.org/threats/threatSummaryViewer.cfm?threatID=163

I like the flower and the hip is very freaky indeed.

Here is the distribution; does anyone out there grow this rose on their property?

I am currently accepting donations of this plant to the Ron Foundation!

Thanks for sharing this,

Ron