Blue enchantress
For other uses,see Blue Rose (disambiguation).
Blue roses created by artificially colouring white roses.A blue rose is a flower of the genus Rosa (family Rosaceae) that presents blue to violet pigmentation,instead of the more common red or white.Blue roses do not exist in nature.Faux blue roses were traditionally created by dyeing white roses,since the flower lacks the gene that produces true blue flowers.Nominal "blue roses" have been bred by conventional hybridization methods,but the results,such as "Blue Moon" are more accurately described as lilac in color.
After thirteen years of joint research by an Australian company Florigene,and Japanese company Suntory,a blue rose was created in 2004 using genetic engineering.Years of research resulted in the ability to insert a gene for the plant pigment delphinidin cloned from the petunia and 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 darker in color than true blue.[1] Recent work using RNAi technology to depress the production of cyanidin has produced a mauve colored flower,with only trace amounts of cyanidin.[2] Genetically modified blue roses are currently being grown in test batches by Suntory Ltd.,according to company spokesman Atsuhito Osaka.[3]
In some cultures,blue roses traditionally signify a mystery,or attaining the impossible.They are believed to be able to grant the owner youth or grant wishes.Historically,this symbolism derives from the rose's meaning in the language of flowers common in Victorian times.Elaborate use of this symbolism is adopted by Ken Roberts in his book "A Rich Man's Secret".In Chinese folklore,the blue rose signifies hope against unattainable love.[4]
