On the genus Rosa (Rosaceae) in the Canary Islands: proposal of three new species

Resumen

The genus Rosa has been cursory studied in the Canary Islands in such a way that there are multiple records for different islands since early 20th century, but no taxonomic review. Historically, five taxa have been cited: Rosa tomentella Léman (also R. tomentella Bak.), R. canina L., R. rubiginosa L., R. micrantha Borrer ex Sm. and Rosa dumalis Bescht. subsp. teydensis Weller & H. Reichert. This note intends to review the occurrence of those taxa and to circumscribe Canarian populations into species. Considering the current taxonomic treatment adopted for European roses in the last six decades, we propose a minimum of five different species of sect. Caninae for the archipelago, of which two have already been cited: R. micrantha and R. rubiginosa. Some key characters found in other populations distributed in Gran Canaria and La Gomera better fit into the concept of R. nitidula Besser. Additionally, we consider three new species on ancient high volcanoes of La Palma (R. roque-muchachensis, sp. nov.), El Teide (R. cannadas-teydensis, sp. nov.) and (R. gran-canariae, sp. nov.) showing a combination of characters found neither in Europe nor in the other populations of the Canary Islands. In any case, phylogenetic studies already in progress will shed light to propose evolutionary relationships and a more natural classification of Rosa in the Canary Islands.