damascena

Damascena is a Latin adjective meaning “from Damascus” and is used in the scientific naming of several flowering plants. The most widely known example is Rosa damascena, commonly called the Damask rose, a deciduous shrub valued for its highly fragrant flowers and for producing rose essential oil used in perfumery.

Rosa damascena plants are typically thorny shrubs with arching canes and pink to deep pink blossoms. The petals are often harvested for distillation to yield rose oil (attar of roses) and for rose water. The shrub is associated with historic cultivation in the Middle East and has become a major commercial horticultural crop in regions with suitable climates, including parts of Bulgaria, Turkey, and Iran.

In ornament and industry, the Damask rose is distinguished by its strong fragrance and its role as a primary source of high-quality essential oil. The oil is used in perfumery, cosmetics, and flavoring, and the petals may be used to make scented waters and culinary products in some cultures.

Beyond Rosa damascena, the epithet damascena appears in the scientific names of other plant species, reflecting the historical association with Damascus. In taxonomy, such epithets indicate origin or affiliation rather than implying a single lineage, and they are found across different genera. The term thus denotes a geographical provenance in botanical nomenclature rather than a singular plant group.