Easton's Bible Dictionary (1897)
Many varieties of the rose proper are indigenous to Syria. The famed rose of Damascus is white, but there are also red and yellow roses. In Cant. V. , “autumn crocus”), is supposed by some to mean the oleander, by others the sweet-scented narcissus (a native of Palestine), the tulip, or the daisy; but nothing definite can be affirmed regarding it. The “rose of Sharon” is probably the cistus or rock-rose, several species of which abound in Palestine.
Smith's Bible Dictionary (1863)
occurs twice only, viz. in (Song of Solomon 2:1; Isaiah 35:1) There is much difference of opinion as to what particular flower is here denoted; but it appears to us most probable that the narcissus is intended. Chateaubriand mentions the narcissus as growing in the Plain of Sharon. Roses are greatly prized in the East, more especially for the sake of the rose-water, which is much request. Dr. Hooker observed seven species of wild roses in Syria.
Hastings' Dictionary of the Bible (1898) & Schaff's Bible Dictionary
ROSE (acrid bulb). The meaning of the original excludes from our consideration the true rose and several other plants suggested. It is the opinion of some of the best authorities that the polyanthus narcissus (Narcissus tazetta) is intended in Song 2:1 and Isa 35:1, where alone the rose is mentioned. This beautiful and fragrant narcissus grows in the plain of Sharon, as is required by these references, and during its season of bloom is sold in the bazaars of the East and carried by everybody as a specially favorite flower.
The "rose of Sharon" of modern writers is a rose-like species of cistus, while the "rose of Jericho" is a small woody plant with minute cruciferous flowers. True wild roses are rarely seen except in the extreme North of Palestine.