Apothecary rose

noun

variants or apothecary rose or less commonly Apothecary's rose or apothecary's rose

: a gallica rose (Rosa gallica var. officinales) with very fragrant, semidouble, deep pink flowers having petals used in perfumery and potpourri and formerly in medicinal remedies (as for indigestion or sore throat)

One of the most historical of the Gallicas, Rosa gallica officinales (before 1300), is the red rose that signified the House of Lancaster and was known as the "Apothecary rose" …

—John Albert, The Homeowner, July/August 1983

Word History

First Known Use

1930, in the meaning defined above

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