Re: Riddle... answer

["Rex Teague" <DibbleGardens@bigfoot.com>]

Too hard eh? 8<)

The "Rose of Sharon" thread triggered my recollection of the rhyme 
but I didn't include it there because that would have made it too 
easy... or so I thought!?

> We are five brothers at the same time born
> Two of us have beards; by two no beards are worn
> While one, lest he should give his brothers pain
> Hath one side bearded and the other plain.

Answer as given:
The above is an English version of a medieval Latin riddle. It refers to 
the sepals of the British wild roses those belonging to section caninae. 
Two of these have lobes on one side only.  

This curious arrangement is best seen on a green unripe rose-hip just
after flowering; in most cases the sepals soon fall off when the hips
get ripe.

Observation:
Examination by the children here, has shown that the phenomena 
applies to many types of roses. It is more apparent in some than 
others.

Cheers... Rex