This first rose is the Damask Rose also known as the Rose of Castile. It is a rose hybrid and is commercially grown for its oil for use in perfumery and rose water. The petals are also used to flavor food or to make tea. There are two varieties of the Damask Rose - the Summer Damasks and the Autumn Damasks. The Summer Damasks have a shorten blooming season and the Autumn Damask blooms into the fall.
Crusader Robert de Brie apparently brought the Damask Rose to Europe from Syria sometime between 1254 and 1276 and it was named after the city of Damascus, Syria.
There has been a perfume industry in Kabul Province, Afghanistan using the Damask Rose and an attempt has recently been made to revive this industry to encourage the local farmers to grow the Damask Rose instead of opium.
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This next flower is the Laurier Rose, which is an evergreen shrub or tree, every part of which is highly toxic. Its a part of the Oleander family. Oleander is one of the most toxic and commonly grown plants. Three deaths were reported from this plant between the years 1985 and 2005.
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Enjoy!
