Turkey black rose producers chase sweet smell of success

A black rose of Halfeti inside a greenhouse at Halfeti town in Sanliurfa. Unique in the world, the black rose or "Karagul" in Turkish of Halfeti survives on the heights of this sunken town in Turkey's southeast after being rescued from the waters of a dam on the Euphrates. Photos: Ozan Kose/AFP

To the naked eye, the delicate velvet roses in southeastern Turkey appear black and overwhelm the senses with their irresistible sweet smell.

The rosebuds are just as dark, and when fully developed, the flower takes on the colour of an intensely rich red wine.