rosaceous

Rosaceous refers to the Rosaceae, a diverse family of flowering plants that includes many fruit crops and ornamental species. The family comprises about 90–100 genera and 2,400–3,000 species, mainly in temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere. Genera of economic and horticultural importance include Rosa (roses), Malus (apples), Pyrus (pears), Prunus (cherries, plums, peaches, apricots), Fragaria (strawberries), Rubus (raspberries and blackberries), and many others.

Description: Members range from herbaceous plants to shrubs and small trees. Leaves are typically alternate and may be simple or compound, often with stipules. Flowers are usually showy, actinomorphic, with five petals and five sepals, and frequently possess a hypanthium. They commonly contain numerous stamens. Fruit types vary by genus and include pomes (Malus, Pyrus), drupes (Prunus), aggregate fruits (Fragaria, Rubus), and other forms.

Taxonomy: Rosaceae is placed in the order Rosales within the eudicots. The family has historically been divided into subfamilies such as Rosoideae and Amygdaloideae, among others, but modern classifications differ in how these groups are circumscribed. The group is notable for its culinary and ornamental value.

Etymology: The name derives from the genus Rosa, meaning rose.