The bright yellow flowers of Common Rock-rose Helianthemum nummularium brighten the hot south-facing hills of the Chilterns throughout the Summer. This beautiful little trailing plant is the larval food plant for several species of butterfly, including Green Hairstreak, Brown Argus and Silver-studded Blue. It also provides an excellent source of nectar for bees and food for several species of small beetles. I have yet to come across one, but pink and white colour variants are occasionally found. Common Rock-rose is a member of the Cistaceae family and as the genus name Helianthemum suggests is sometimes known as the Sun-rose. There are eight sub-species found throughout much of Europe.
Common Rock-rose Helianthemum nummularium, Ivinghoe Beacon, 19/07/2011
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