‘William Lobb’
Moss roses appeared towards the end of the 17th century, when a ‘sport’ from the Centifolia rose was found with interesting ‘mossy’ characteristics. This became known as R. muscosa.
The flower stem, calyx and sepals are covered in small, slightly sticky glandular structures that resemble moss, but have a scent of pine-leaves when touched.
A similar sport was discovered on the ‘Autumn Damask’ rose and became the ancestor of a new sub-race of roses called Moss roses.