The rose family, also known as the Rosacea family is made up of 2,830 species of plants. Trees that belong to this family are commonly recognized as those that bear fruit: apples, peaches, pears, cherries, and more. Worldwide, there are about 100 genera; about 50 are found in North America. Tannins are common in the vegetation, giving astringent properties. Cyanide compounds are found in the leaves and fruits of some species!

Coevolution with Pollinators: Fruit trees in the Rosaceae family have often coevolved with specific pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and flies. The flowers of these trees developed attractive features like color, scent, and nectar to entice pollinators. Through this coevolution, the trees benefited from efficient pollination, leading to successful reproduction and fruit production.

Seed Dispersal Mechanisms: Many fruit-bearing trees in the Rosaceae family have evolved mechanisms to disperse their seeds effectively. Fleshy fruits often evolved to entice animals to consume them, aiding in seed dispersal through their digestion and subsequent deposition in new locations. This relationship between fruiting trees and animals has played a crucial role in the dispersal and distribution of these species.

Domestication and Cultivation: Humans have played a significant role in the evolution of fruit-bearing trees in the Rosaceae family through domestication and cultivation. Over thousands of years, selective breeding by humans has led to the development of numerous cultivated varieties with desirable traits such as larger fruit size, improved taste, and disease resistance.

Symbiotes: Mycorrhizal connections between the tree and blackberry can alert the tree of possible pathogenic dangers, also the fungi will transfer food between them depending on the wants and the needs. Some of these networks are square miles wide. These fungi also help boost the immune systems of bees by offering a nectar to them that has been studied and proven to increase the immune system of honeybees. Some believe the loss of these networks is part of the reason for colony collapse disorder. More studies are going on right now where they are giving the bees the nectar and seeing if they have less incidence of Colony collapse disorder. 

Identification:

Iconic Features

• Leaves generally serrate and alternate
• Usually 5 separate petals and sepals
• Flower with numerous stamens and pistils
• Sepals, petals, and stamens fused at base into a cup-like structure (hypanthium)

Cultivation and Human Uses:

• Fruit Production: Fruit-bearing trees in the Rosaceae family, such as apples, pears, cherries, plums, peaches, and apricots, have immense economic value. They are commercially cultivated for their fruits, which are consumed fresh, processed into juices, jams, jellies, pies, and other culinary products. Fruit production contributes to agricultural economies, generates revenue for farmers and orchard owners, and supports related industries such as food processing, distribution, and marketing.
• Timber: Some trees in the Rosaceae family, such as cherry, pear, and apple, have wood that can be used for furniture, cabinetry, musical instruments, and other woodworking purposes. The timber industry associated with these trees contributes to local economies and craftsmanship.
• Cider and other alcohols as recognized by John Chapman. John Chapman (aka Johnny Appleseed, profiled in Michael Pollen’s The Botany of Desire). In the early 19^thcentury, Chapman, an eccentric frontiersman/ entrepreneur/evangelist plants orchards ahead of the Westward wave of American settlers, knowing that cider will be a coveted commodity. The apple tree is an introduced species. Chapman’s real story is complicated by myths that romanticize settlers and progress