Rosaceae (Rose, Peach, Apple, Pear, Loquat, Strawberry family)

Life > eukaryotes > Archaeoplastida > Chloroplastida > Charophyta > Streptophytina > Plantae (land plants) > Tracheophyta (vascular plants) > Euphyllophyta > Lignophyta (woody plants) > Spermatophyta (seed plants) > Angiospermae (flowering plants) > Eudicotyledons > Order: Rosales

There are about 107 genera and 3000 species worldwide, mostly found in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. In southern Africa there are 18 genera (9 exotic) and 172 species (about 30 exotic).

Genera native or naturalised (*) in southern Africa

Acaena About 100 species worldwide, found mainly in the cold regions of the southern Hemisphere. Acaena latebrosa is the only species native to southern Africa, found in the Western Cape. Two additional species, Acaena novae-zelandiae (Bidi-bidi) from New Zealand and Acaena ovina (Australian sheep's burr) from eastern Australia, are cultivated in southern Africa.
Agrimonia About 15 species worldwide, of which two occur in southern Africa. A further three species (two from Europe, one from Brazil), are cultivated in southern Africa.
Alchemilla About 250 species worldwide, of which 16 are native to southern Africa, mainly in the eastern summer-rainfall regions. A further two species from Europe, are cultivated in southern Africa.
Cliffortia About 112 species, all found in southern Africa, with 2 extending into tropical Africa.
* Cotoneaster About 70 species worldwide, found mainly in the north temperate regions of Europe and Asia. Commonly grown in gardens, with 40 species cultivated in southern Africa. Cotoneaster franchetii and C. pannosus have become naturalised in Gauteng, Free State, KwaZulu-Natal and Eastern Cape and are declared Category 3 invader plant in South Africa.
* Crataegus (Hawthorn genus) About 1080 species, found in the northern hemisphere. Grown in gardens. Crataegus x lavallei and C. monogyna have become naturalised in the Free State and Eastern Cape.
* Cydonia (Quince) The only species is the Quince Cydonia oblonga which is native to Causasia and northern Iran. It has become naturalised in the Free State.
* Duchesnea (Indian Strawberry genus) The 6 species are native to the Indo-Malayan region, China and Japan. The Indian Strawberry Duchesnea indica has become naturalised in southern Africa.
* Fragaria (Strawberries) About 12 species worldwide. The Wild Strawberry Fragaria vesca is sometimes found naturalised in southern Africa. Strawberries Fragaria ananassa are cultivated widely.
Geum About 40 species worldwide, mainly in temperate and cold areas of the northern hemisphere. The only species native to southern Africa is Geum capense. A further two species from north temperate regions, are cultivated in southern Africa.
Leucosidea The only species is Oldwood Leucosidea sericea, found in the eastern half of South Africa, mainly along stream banks at high altitudes.
Potentilla About 500 species worldwide, mainly temperate to Arctic regions of the northern hemisphere. Potentilla supina is regarded as being indigenous to southern Africa. About 10 other species of Potentilla from mainly the north temperate regions, have been cultivated in southern Africa.
Prunus (almond, apricot, cherry, nectarine, peach and plum genus) About 200 species, found mainly in the northern hemisphere. Prunus africana is the only indigenous species in southern Africa. The genus includes important fruits such as almonds, apricots, cherries, nectarines, peaches and plums. In total, about 27 species and at least five hybrids are cultivated in southern Africa.
* Pyracantha (Firethorn genus) About 9 species, native to SE Europe, Caucasia, NW Iran and China. Grown in gardens for their attractive, non-edible berries. Three species have become naturalised in southern Africa.
* Pyrus (Pear genus) About 25 species worldwide, found from Europe to east Asia and as far south as north Africa. The Wild Pear Pyrus communis has become naturalised in South Africa. Six species of Pyrus have been cultivated in southern Africa.
* Rosa (roses) About 100 species, native to the northern hemisphere. Commonly grown in gardens. Two species have become naturalised in South Africa. About 30 species and numerous cultivars of hybrid origin, are cultivated in southern Africa. Rosa rubiginosa (Eglantine, Sweetbriar, Wilderoos) is a declared Category 1 invader plant in South Africa.
Rubus (blackberry, loganberry and rasberry genus) About 250 species, found worldwide but mainly in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. There are 17 species recorded from southern Africa, some indigenous and others naturalised. Since earliest times, people have collected berries from species of Rubus. They are eaten raw, cooked, or made into other products such as jam and juice. Berries have high levels of vitamins A, B1 and C. Dry leaves are used in herbal teas and both leaves and roots are used medicinally.
* Sanguisorba About 10 species worldwide, found mainly in the temperate regions of the northern hemisphere. Sanguisorba minor (Salad burnet), which is native to Eurasia and north Africa, is cultivated in southern Africa and has also become naturalised in this region.

Other genera, cultivated in southern Africa

List from Glen (2002). The species name is provided in genera that have only one species represented in southern Africa.

Amelanchier Four species cultivated.
Aronia arbutifolia (Red chokeberry) Indigenous to the USA. This species, and the Black chokeberry Aronia melanocarpa, have small violet-black fruit that are harvested to produce Aronia berry juice. These fruit are also used for making jellies and jams. In southern Africa, the Red chokeberry is grown mainly as a garden plant.
Aruncus dioicus (Goat's beard) Indigenous to north temperate regions.
Chaenomeles Three species cultivated.
Cowania stansburiana Indigenous to western USA and Mexico.
+ Crataegomespilus dardarii (Bronvaux medlar) An intergeneric hybrid, derived from Mespilus and Crataegus.
Crataegus Nine species and three hybrids cultivated.
Eriobotrya japonica (Loquat)
Exochorda Three species cultivated.
Fallugia paradoxa Indigenous to southern USA and Mexico.
Filipendula vulgaris (Dropwort) Indigenous from Europe through to Siberia.
Hagenia abyssinica Indigenous to tropical East Africa.
Horkelia frondosa Indigenous to California.
Ivesia gordonii Indigenous to western USA.
Kerria japonica
Malus (apples) Nine species cultivated, including the Domestic apple Malus domestica.
Mespilus germanica (Medlar) Indigenous from southeast Europe through to Iran.
Neillia affinis Indigenous to western China.
Petrophytum caespitosum Indigenous to western USA.
Photinia Five species and one hybrid cultivated.
Physocarpus opulifolius (Ninebark) Indigenous to the USA.
Pseudocydonia sinensis Indigenous to China.
Pyracantha Seven species cultivated.
Quillaja saponaria Indigenous to Chile.
Rhaphiolepis Two species and one hybrid cultivated.
Rhodotypos scandens Indigenous to China, Korea and Japan.
Sarcopoterium spinosum Indigenous to the eastern Mediterranean.
Sorbaria Four species cultivated.
Sorbus Five species cultivated.
Spiraea Ten species cultivated. Grown in gardens.

Publications

Glen, H.F. 2002. Cultivated Plants of Southern Africa. Jacana, Johannesburg.
Jordaan, M. 2000. Rosaceae. In: Seed Plants of Southern Africa: Families and Genera (Ed. O.A. Leistner). Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria, pp. 470-476.

Text by Hamish Robertson