Latin Lingo - Rugosa

Rugosa

(roo - GO - suh)

"The specific epithet rugosa means 'wrinkled' or 'rough'. Generally descriptive of foliage when the veins in leaves are prominent beneath, with corresponding creases on the upper side. The Rugose Hollyhock, Alecea rugosa, is a good example. The wrinkled, rough foliage is distinctive and creates a good textural contest with the other plants in the border.

Visit Botanary for more botanical words, their meaning, and pronunciation help."

quoted from Dave's Garden E-Newsletter, January 2, 2012

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Prior to reading this article, I only knew of Rosa rugosa. Just goes to show that even when you've been in the industry for ten years, there's always something to learn!

It was tricky to find other plants with the species name rugosa. I did learn that in addition to plants, "rugosa" is also used in the naming of insects and coral.

Let's lead off with what is perhaps the most famous rugosa plant: Rosa rugosa. These roses are tough as nails and are my Go-To roses for harsh locations. There are many cultivars to choose from.

 

The rest of the plants are ones I hadn't heard of before. First is Solidago rugosa - Common Wrinkle-Leaved Goldenrod. The photo of the goldenrod in bloom is the variety "Fireworks", which is a recent new cultivar that I have heard of, I just didn't know it was a rugosa. I really like the horizontal presence and will give this one a try.

 

Below is Alcea rugosa - Rugose or Russian Hollyhock. There weren't any pictures that showed the wrinkled leaves on a full-grown plant, but the photo of the seedling shows the wrinkling very well.

  

Next is Agastache rugosa - Wrinkled Giant Hyssop. Sure to be a great addition to your cottage garden or natural planting.

 

Finally is a plant native to New England, the northern Midwest states and most of Canada: Alnus incana subspecies rugosa - Speckled Alder. This tree is listed as endangered in a few states, so I doubt you'd find it for sale in a garden center. As a native tree, it tends to be a scrubby shrub-tree and may be best used in large native plantings or prairie restorations where it can be free to be it's unkempt self. Unless you have a lot of time to devote to maintaining a tidy appearance.

 

all photos gleaned from Google Images.