he flowers of most species have five petals, with the exception of Rosa omeiensis and Rosa sericea, which usually have only four. Each petal is divided into two distinct lobes and is usually white or pink, though in a few species yellow or red. Beneath the petals are five sepals (or in the case of some Rosa omeiensis and Rosa sericea, four). These may be long enough to be visible when viewed from above and appear as green points alternating with the rounded petals. The coloured petals are fused on the axis and arranged in five bundles forming a circle, the petal bundles expand further from each other;:?458–459? the petals form a cup or disc surrounding the gynoecium.:?453? There are multiple superior ovaries that develop into achenes. Longitudinal section of a developing rose hip Longitudinal section of a developing rose hip Exterior view of rose buds Exterior view of rose buds A close-up of a climbing rose A close-up of a climbing rose Reproduction This section does not cite any sources. Please help improve this section by adding citations to reliable sources. Unsourced material may be challenged and removed. (February 2025) (Learn how and when to remove this message) Roses are insect-pollinated in nature. A fertilized ovary forms a berry-like aggregate fruit called a "hip". The hips of most species are red, but a few (e.g. Rosa pimpinellifolia) have dark purple to black hips. Each hip comprises an outer fleshy layer, the hypanthium, which contains 5–160 "seeds" (technically dry single-seeded fruits called achenes) embedded in a matrix of fine, but stiff, hairs. Rose hips of some species, especially the dog rose (Rosa canina) and rugosa rose (R. rugosa), are very rich in vitamin C, among the richest sources of any plant. The hips are eaten by fruit-eating birds such as thrushes and waxwings, which then disperse the seeds in their droppings. Many of the domestic cultivars do not produce hips, as the fl