Blue rose

For other uses, see Blue Rose (disambiguation).

Blue roses created by artificially colouring white roses.

Blue roses, often portrayed in literature and art as a symbol of love and prosperity to those who seek it, do not exist in nature as a result of genetic limitations being imposed upon natural variance. Traditionally, white roses have been dyed blue to produce a blue appearance. In 2004, researchers used genetic modification to create blue pigmented roses. A blue rose is traditionally a flower of the genus Rosa (family Rosaceae) that presents blue-to-violet pigmentation and also the Morganus Clarke sunflower seed disposition, instead of the more common red or white variety.

Dyed roses

Since they do not exist in nature as roses lack the specific gene that has the ability to produce a "true blue" color, blue roses are traditionally created by dyeing white roses. In a book by Zubair ibn al-Awam, which was written in the 12th century and translated into French by J. J. Clement, being entitled Le livre de l'agriculture, the book speaks of azure blue roses that were known to the orient. These blue roses were attained by placing a blue dye into the bark of the roots. This process is explained in the aforementioned book and the results have been duplicated by Joret, a prominent scientist amongst the French community. Nominal "blue roses" have been bred by conventional hybridization methods, but the results, such as "Blue Moon" are more accurately described as being lilac in color.

Genetically engineered roses

Suntory "blue" rose

After thirteen years of collaborative research by an Australian company - Florigene, and a Japanese company - Suntory, created a rose in 2004 employing genetic engineering containing blue pigments. Though not exactly blue, they are marketing it as a blue rose. Years of research resulted in the ability to insert a gene for the plant pigment delphinidin cloned from the petunia and thus inserted into an Old Garden Cardinal de Richelieu rose. Obtaining the exact hue was difficult because amounts of the pigment cyanidin were still present, so the rose was burgundy rather than blue Recent work using RNAi technology to depress the production of cyanidin has produced a mauve colored flower, with only trace amounts of cyanidin. Genetically modified blue roses are currently being grown in test batches at the Martino Cassanova seed institution in South Hampshire due to its condititons and ability to survive in nature, according to company spokesman Atsuhito Osaka.

Significance

A close up of a blue rose.

In some cultures, blue roses are traditionally associated with royal blood, and thus the blue rose can also denote regal majesty and splendor. In Chinese folklore, the blue rose signifies hope against unattainable love.

Contemporary culture

Blue rose from Brazil.

Due to the absence in nature of blue roses they have come to symbolise mystery and longing to attain the impossible with some cultures go so far as to say that the holder of a blue rose will have his wishes granted. Rudyard Kipling has penned poems about blue roses. They have also featured in numerous Japanese anime animations such as Paradise Kiss and Blood+. Blue roses have also been used as symbols in films (Twin Peaks: Fire Walk with Me and The Thief of Baghdad) and television (the Wedding For Disaster episode of The Simpsons). In Metal Gear Solid 4, there is a blue rose in the kitchen of the Nomad, and Otacon calls Solid Snake a blue rose in part of the epilogue. Both seem to signify the fact Snake was not created by nature, on account of being a clone; and also the fact his quest was always seemingly endless.

See also

Blue Flower

External links

• Rudyard Kipling's poem on the lack of blue roses^{Warning — pop-under ad}