A modern reference to temperate woody plants, including updated content from this site and much new material, can be found at Trees and Shrubs Online.

Helianthemum lunulatum (All.) DC.

Modern name

Helianthemum lunulatum (All.) DC.

Synonyms

Cistus lunulatus All.

A dwarf, cushion-like, evergreen sub-shrub 4 to 8 in. high; young shoots covered with a close down and sprinkled with hairs. Leaves elliptic-oblong to obovate, tapered at the base, rounded or obtuse at the apex, 13 to 58 in. long, 18 to 316 in. wide, dull green and glabrous above, furnished beneath with starry hairs and long simple ones; margins hairy; stalk 112 in. or less long. Flowers 12 in. wide, opening during June and July, usually singly, at the end of the young shoots; petals bright yellow, roundish, with a crescent-shaped stain at the base; flower-stalk 12 to 1 in. long, downy like the young shoots.

A very local species, found only in the Italian part of the Maritime Alps from the Col di Tenda to Monte Corno, South of Valdieri. It is a neat little plant, forming a gay patch of colour in midsummer. Suitable for a sunny spot in the rock garden. Easily propagated by soft cuttings in gentle heat.


Genus

Helianthemum

Other species in the genus