China rose

[ chahy-nuh rohz ]

noun

1. Also called Ben·gal rose [ben-, gawl, , rohz, ben, -g, uh, l]. a rose, Rosa chinensis, of China, having slightly fragrant crimson, pink, or white flowers.
2. Also called Chi·nese hi·bis·cus [chahy, -neez hahy-, bis, -k, uh, s, chahy, -nees, hi-],. a tropical Asian shrub, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, of the mallow family, having showy, usually rose-red flowers.

China rose

noun

1. a rosaceous shrub, Rosa chinensis (or R. indica ), with red, pink, or white fragrant flowers: the ancestor of many cultivated roses
2. a related dwarf plant, Rosa semperflorens, having crimson flowers
3. another name for hibiscus

Word History and Origins

Origin of China rose¹

First recorded in 1725–35