White rock rose (Helianthemum apenninum)

shrub with small white flowers

El Helianthemum apenninum or white rock rose is a perennial plant of the genus Helianthemum, which is distributed in the Mediterranean area of ​​Europe, especially in the central, north-central and eastern regions of the Iberian Peninsula. Green in color with white and pink pentameric flowers with showy stamens.

Features

The white rock rose is also known by the name of retriever, jarilla among others. It is a species of the cystaceae family of the perennial type and can reach 30 to 50 cm in height., its appearance ranges from grayish, yellowish and white.

Their habitat is limestone rock areas and they can also be seen in herbaceous spaces, but always in limestone soil, as most of this family of plants prefer dry and very sunny spaces. It is of moderate size but in the spring time its flowers become attractive and pleasant. It has a fibrous strain and its branches are outlined upwards in a straight way.

Of beautiful flowers, can be presented in white or pink, of radial symmetry, hermaphrodite and in its structure they have five petals and numerous yellow whorls, its flowers being simple and etymologically its name means flower of the sun.

The petals of its flowers, which seem curly, they fall off quickly after flowering that takes place during the summer season. Its leaves are smooth and are in opposite pairs, elliptical and pointed are stipules and the tip is variable in shape, elliptical to lanceolate and somewhat folded at its edges, wrapped with whitish to greyish hairs.

Origin of the Helianthemum apenninum

La Helianthemum apenninum It is endemic to the European Mediterranean, in the Iberian Peninsula it is present in regions such as eastern Andalusia and in the provinces of Malaga, Granada and Almería. It can also be seen in the rocky mountains located in the south of France.

Care and cultivation

El Helianthemum apenninum And like most of its species, it needs an area that has good drainage and is quite sunny for its growth. It is a shrub typical of limestone soils and especially of rocky limestone edges. In its natural environment, the plant has thick green foliage that resembles a kind of carpet adorned with the presence of a flowering that gives it a very beautiful appearance.

Its sowing corresponds to spring, time when your seed thrives easily and without the need for soil stratification and during the summer it can be multiplied by cuttings. The purpose of collecting their seeds and using cuttings is, in addition to multiplying, the necessary genetic disposition that guarantees their permanence in the event of a catastrophe.

Uses

Due to the fact that it is a plant of which there are not many studies, little can be said about its properties and possible applications. Now for its dense and beautiful bloom can be used in limestone gardens of any size and sunny enough. It is resistant to times of drought and the little rain does not affect it.

Diseases and pests

shrub with flowers about to open, minus one white

Much has been said about the threat to the vegetation of the European Mediterranean and that obeys a series of factors ranging from natural to human factors. Among the various factors that affect the threat of this plant, natural causes can be cited, such as excessive rainfall or persistent frost.

As we can know, this species needs good drainage, so water alterations are also an important factor for the survival of the Helianthemum apenninum.

One of the human factors that undoubtedly put this plant at risk is the impact caused by tourism in the area. This and like other species are protected throughout the Sierra Nevada region by the National Park authorities.


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