Rosaceae, the rose family, includes about 3,100 species and 107 genera worldwide, and includes many other type of plants than roses alone. It also houses many of the fruits that the world loves to eat, and some of the prettiest flowers. They vary from the simple strawberry flower to the complex roses. The flowers are radially symmetrical, typically with 5 sepals united at the base, 5 petals arising from the top of a cup- or saucer-like structure, numerous stamens in several whorls, and 1 compound or several simple ovaries. The fruits are achenes (small seeds), pomes (eg. apples), drupes (eg. cherries) or aggregations of drupelets (raspberries).
Rosaceae plants grow as trees, shrubs and perennial herbs. They also occur as climbing plants, like vines, but are often self sufficient, needing no host to cling to and climb up. Thorns often are seen on these types of plants. They aid in defense and also as a clasping technique. Rosaceae leaves are usually simple and alternate, with some exceptions. When compound, the leaflets are opposite. Stipules, leaflike appendages at the base of the leafstalk, are often found, with exception of the genus Spiraea.