Modern day production of Rose Otto and Rose Absolute use the varieties Rosa Damascena, Rosa Centifolia, and a hybrid of Rosa Centifolia with Rosa Gallica.   These three are the only commercially viable varieties from a family of more than ten thousand due to their higher yield of oil.

Rosa Damascena ("Rose damask") is grown in Bulgaria and Turkey, aswell as a small amount in India and other countries. Their flowers are fragrant and pink.
Rosa centifolia/gallica ("Rose de Mai") is grown primarily in Morocco, Egypt, India aswell as a small amount in France.