Booklet  (2009)  Page(s) 38-39.  
 
All of the roses in the study classified as Tea Roses were included in this [Tea Rose] cluster, as well as one accession of R. odorata var. gigantea (OG3) sent directlyfrom China [ex Flower Research Inst., Yunnan]. It does not seem unlikely that OG3 might group here, since it is thought to be one of the original parents of the first Tea Roses (Harkness, 1978), but what is odd is its low similarity to the other accessions said to be of this same species in cultivation in the United States (OG1 and OG2) [ex Quarry Hill Bot. Garden]. OG1 and OG2 group with each other at a similarity of 0.83, while OG3 only has 0.19 similarity with OG1, and 0.21 with OG2. Another recent study found that an R. odorata var. gigantea and R. odorata var. erubescens had an SSR-based similarity coefficient of ̴0.64 (Tang et al., 2008). The large difference in similarity levels could be caused by several factors. It is possible that the Chinese source used in this study may more closely represent the actual species in its wild condition, and that the U.S. source of this species, which is of cultivated origin and far removed from collection, may be the seed grown results of natural or artificial hybrid rather than representative of the wild R. odorata var. gigantea. The opposite could also be true though, with the U.S. source (35 & 48% heterozygous loci) being cultivated offspring of a wild representative of the species, and OG3 (78% heterozygous loci) a cultivated variety of R. x odorata and an example of one of the first Tea Roses bred in China, rather than the wild species native to that country. The chloroplast sequence data gives additional information on these accessions.

Article (magazine)  (2007)  Page(s) 404.  
 
Table 1. Comparison of key volatile components in representative cultivated Chinese roses and species. [adsorption volume by Solid Phase Microextraction (peak area, x10')]
DMMB: 1,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzene
TMB: 1,3,5-trimehoxybenzene

R. gigantea
Dihydro-beta-ionone 0.53
Dihydro-beta-ionol 0.18
Beta-ionone 1.37
DMMB 18.3
TMB 0.16

Article (magazine)  (2007)  Page(s) 401.  
 
DMMB [1,3-dimethoxy-5-methylbenzene] is a key component of the fragrance element commonly referred to as 'Tea'. This component...has a relaxing effect (sedative properties) and is originated from Rosa gigantea Collett native to southwestern China throught Myanmar (Shoji et al., 2000; Yomogida, 2004).

Article (magazine)  (2006)  Page(s) 22.  
 
...The flowers of R. gigantea emit almost exclusively DMT [3,5-dimethoxytoluene]...

Magazine  (Aug 2005)  Page(s) 32-45.  Includes photo(s).
 
Describes the European discovery of Rosa odorata var. gigantea (Collett ex Crépin) Rehd. & Wils. in south Asia and the introduction of the China rose to European rose breeding. Gigantea is native to upper Burma and south-western China. Sir Henry Collett discovered it growing in the Shan Hills of Burma. It was introduced to Europe in 1888.

Book  (Dec 1998)  Page(s) 52.  Includes photo(s).
 
Rosa gigantea (R. x odorata gigantea). Description... The flowers are white, very large -- up to 4 inches (10 cm) in diameter at their best -- sweetly scented... Yellowy orange, pear-shaped hips about 1 in. (2.5. cm)... unsuitable for cold climates... an ancestor of the early Tea Roses...

Book  (Apr 1998)  Page(s) 30.  
 
The oldest rose at Wisley Gardens, UK. Planted in 1939 … on the laboratory wall. It produces a flourish of flowers in early year.

Book  (1995)  Page(s) 41.  
 
The scented almost evergreen Himalayan rose, Rosa gigantea, with wide yellowish-white single flowers followed by red autumn fruits flourishes over a pergola flourishes over a pergola at Mount Stewart [see Gardens]

Book  (1994)  Page(s) 87.  
 
Unlike most climbers and ramblers, the R. gigantea hybrids do not strike easily from cuttings

Book  (Dec 1993)  Page(s) 69.  
 
R. gigantea bears the largest flowers of all rose species