The first roses were yellow - how evolution has changed mankind's favourite flower

The latest research of scientists allows us to look deep into time and understand where modern varieties of roses came from, writes The Conversation.

Researchers from China found that the first representatives of the genus Rosa appeared on the planet about 30 million years ago. According to their work, published in April 2025, the most ancient roses were most likely yellow, and later acquired pink and red shades.

"The first roses were very simple in structure and had only one row of petals," the study authors tell us.

Over time, random natural mutations led to the emergence of flowers with additional petals, which were fixed by selection. This is how modern varieties such as Jude the Obscure, with its soft peach hue, and Catherine's Rose, coloured coral pink, came to be.

Another important discovery by scientists was a study of rose fragrance substances published in 2024.

"Aromatic roses have many more genes responsible for producing volatile compounds than less fragrant varieties," the researchers explained.

Producing these compounds requires a significant energy input from the plant, but pays off by attracting pollinators. For example, lemon-scented roses owe their fragrance to the compound citronellol.

The ancestors of modern roses first appeared in Central Asia, probably in what is now China and the foothills of the Himalayas. From there, roses gradually spread westwards, reaching Europe around 15-25 million years ago.

"The original diversity allowed roses to successfully adapt to different climatic conditions and spread throughout Eurasia," the scientists believe.

The current wealth of rose varieties, however, came about through a second wave of evolution - this time directed by humans. Over the past few centuries, breeders have worked extensively with 8-20 wild rose species, mostly Asian (Rosa chinensis, Rosa multiflora) and European (Rosa gallica, Rosa canina). It is from these that almost all the varieties we know today originated.

In the process of breeding, people put emphasis on flowers with a large number of petals, rich hues and strong fragrances. Varieties were developed that could bloom repeatedly, with increased disease resistance and fewer thorns.

"Selection of genes responsible for petal development and pigment production allowed for a diversity of shades and shapes, while genes such as NUDX1 were important for flavour enhancement," comment the study authors.

Today, there are about 35,000 varieties of roses, although there are only about 300 species of the plant in nature. This is considerably fewer than roses' close relatives, the genus Rubus, which includes raspberries and blackberries and has more than 800 species.

But it is roses that have come to symbolise the biodiversity created by man.