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](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/common-rock-rose-helianthemum-nummularium-danebury-hill-fort-may-2021-600x450.jpg)
This picture below shows the typical crinkly nature of the flowers.
![common rock rose detail helianthemum nummularium danebury hill fort may 2021](https://photographingwildflowers.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2021/11/common-rock-rose-detail-helianthemum-nummularium-danebury-hill-fort-may-2021-600x450.jpg)
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.
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