moss rose
moss rose Lexical Profile
• noun
A creeping, succulent flowering plant (Portulaca grandiflora) native to South America, commonly grown as a drought-tolerant annual ornamental for its brightly colored, cup-shaped blooms.
"Because the soil was sandy and baked in the afternoon sun, she decided to fill the border with resilient moss roses."
A fragrant, historic variety of shrub rose (Rosa centifolia muscosa) distinguished by a fuzzy, glandular, moss-like growth covering its flower stalks and sepals.
"The gardener planted a classic moss rose near the patio so visitors could appreciate its unique texture and heavy, sweet fragrance."
Word Nuance & Usage
The term 'moss rose' is commonly used to describe two entirely different plants: a historic, fragrant shrub rose with fuzzy stems, and a popular, low-growing succulent groundcover (Portulaca).
• Nearby Words
Word Origin & Etymology
Coined in the early 18th century. Named for the distinct, sticky, moss-like glandular growth found on the sepals and flower stems of the original Rosa centifolia mutants, and later applied to the Portulaca for its moss-like low growth habit.
Usage Trend
Historical frequency of usage in published text.