Common rock rose Helianthemum nummularium

Identifying Common rock rose

I found this Rock rose in short grass on a sloping chalky site in Hampshire in May.

Helianthemum nummularium flowers superficially look rather like Potentilla flowers. However the flowers are larger at about 3cm across with a tissue-like appearance. The buds (visible just above the flower in my pics) have a nodding quality. Closer inspection also reveals very different leaves. If you ignore the strawberry leaves in the pic below, you can see some narrow reddish stems and small lance-shaped leaves (up to about 2cm long) of the Rock rose.

common rock rose helianthemum nummularium danebury hill fort may 2021 — Common rock rose – *Helianthemum nummularium* – Danebury Hill Fort Hampshire – May 2021

This picture below shows the typical crinkly nature of the flowers.

common rock rose detail helianthemum nummularium danebury hill fort may 2021 — Common rock rose detail – *Helianthemum nummularium* – Danebury Hill Fort – May 2021

This is currently the only Rock rose I’m familiar with but will add more as I find them. Other members of this Genus tend to be white, rare, or spotty, so little chance for confusion hopefully!

I also found Ribwort plantain on the same site.

Blog posts mentioning Rock rose – Helianthemum are tagged Rock rose or Helianthemum

https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/tag/rock-rose/

https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/tag/helianthemum/