(1798)  Page(s) 2068.  
 
Rosa involuta Prickly Unexpanded Rose.
The late Mr. J. Mackay communicated a wild specimen of the Rose from the Hebrides, which is described in the Flora Britannica. The present grew in Cambridge garden, under the care of its able Curator Mr. James Donn, and was sent to Mr. Sowerby, June 13th last. ]
This shrub has the general habit of R. spinosissima, t. 187, with which the numerous prickles of its stem, various in size and rarely very slight curved agree. But it differs from that species in having extremely prickly leaf-stalks and flower-stalks, as well as larger, more elliptical leaflets....Petals whitish, variegated or more or less with red...seldom above half expanded....[description by James Edward Smith]

(1789)  Page(s) t 2521.  Includes photo(s).
 
Rosa rubella (Species) Red-fruited Dwarf Rose.
English Botany, 1798
ICOSANDRIA Polygynia.
GEN. CHAR. Cal. urn-shaped, fleshy, contracted at the orifice, terminating in 5 segments. Petals 5. Seeds numerous, bristly, fixed to the inside of the calyx.
SPEC. CHAR. Fruit globose, somewhat bristly. Flower-stalks bristly. Stem spreading, clothed with straight slender spines. Leaflets elliptical, smooth. Segments of the calyx entire.
SYN. Rosa spinosissima γ. Sm. Fl. Brit. 537? With. 465? Hull. ed. 2. 148?
IT may literally be said that Roses spring up under our steps as we approach the close of our undertaking, for we have of late added more than could have been imagined to the species of that favourite but difficult tribe.
The present beautiful plant was sent from Newcastle by Mr. Winch. It differs from the common R. spinosissima, t. 187, in being a small, spreading bush, whereas the flowering stems of that species are strong and erect, more in the manner of canina. The leaflets are more elliptical and rather acute. Flowerstalks longer, and densely covered with glandular bristles, some of which are found also on the lower part of the germen, which is rather less globular than in spinosissima. About these marks however we might have hesitated; but the perfectly ripe fruit sent by Mr. Winch, though too much bruised to be drawn, is scarlet, not black, which is a character we have never known to vary. That in our t. 187, it must be observed, is but half ripe. The flowers and leaves are elegantly tinged with red, which may be accidental. The segments of the calyx, in both these species, are simple and entire; the leaflets smooth, with glandular stalks and ribs.