ROSA ABYSSINICA R. Br. ex Lindl. syn. R. schimperiana Hiochst. & Steud., R. moschata var abyssinica (R. Br.) Crépin (section synstylae)
A low, climber or shrub rose with stems to 4m, with many recurved thorns. Leaflets 5-7, to 28 X 12mm, ovate to lanceolate, without stalks, with small, curved, simple teeth, smooth on both sides, the rhachis reddish with small thorns. Stipules 6 X 0.5mm, smooth. Flowers usually solitary on short shoots, white, 3- 4cm across, scented of cloves and attar of roses. Sepals 12-15mm long, with bristles. Styles fused, exserted from the flower. Hips with smooth, rounded, orange to reddish-black; sepals and style column deciduous.
In Yemen, Saudi Arabia, northern Somalia and throughout Ethiopia except the southwest.
Notes:
This interesting species is the only one found wild in tropical Africa, and is close to the Mediterranean R. sempervirens. In Ethiopia it has several local names including caga, gaga, dayero, kalokhin. A more detailed account of the species can be found in The Flowering Plants of Africa, vol. 49, plate 1945 (1987).