Syn.: Cistus canus L., Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. incanum (Willk.) G. López, Helianthemum oelandicum subsp. canum (L.) Bonnier, Rhodax canus (L.) Fuss
Family: Cistaceae Juss.
Distribution: Southern Europe, warmer areas of central Europe, Ireland, Wales, western England and the Swedish island of Öland, also occurs in Asia Minor, the Caucasus, northwestern Africa. The species is morphologically very variable, and divisible into a number of subspecies. These pictures represent the nominate subspecies.
Ecology: It grows on sunny steppe slopes, on the limestone rocks. It blooms from April to June.
Description: Dwarf shrub, 5–20(–30) cm tall. Stems procumbent or ascending. Leaves opposite, elliptical, ovate-lanceolate, lanceolate or linear, cuneate at base, grey-tomentose beneath, green to grey-tomentose above, with or without stellate hairs. Flowers in raceme-like cymes, with 3–10(–12) flowers; sepals 5, the 3 inner ovate, the 2 outer smaller; petals 4–8 mm, yellow. The fruit is an ovoid capsule.
Threat and protection: The Hoary Rockrose is protected by law in Germany and Ukraine.
These images were taken in Czechia, Bohemia, Prague, Prokopské údolí (April 15, 2007).
