June 5, 2020

White Rock-rose


A patch of white flowers grows against the stone wall of an old quarry. They are runaways from the limestone meadow on top. Limestone meadows are the favorite habitat of  of White Rock-rose (Helianthemum apenninum).





In spring it produces a lot of white flowers. Sometimes it flowers again in autumn or even in summer, if a sudden thunderstorm brings rain.







Like many Cistaceae, White Rock-rose is a little bush well adapted to the environment it grows in, porous limestone soils that easily dry out. To prevent too much evaporation, the edges of its long leaves fold can unto themselves.




 
The flowers are easy to recognize, with their slightly crumpled white petals and yellow stamens like a paintbrush.