This plant is found in large numbers on the Great Orme where it grows alongside its big brother Helianthemum nummularium (Common Rock-rose). Apart from the hoariness of the plant itself, the flowers on H. oelandicum ssp incanum are much smaller than H. nummularium H. oelandicum ssp incanum flowers earlier in Spring and there are very few late flowering plants while the larger flowers of H. nummularium can be found in flower here at almost any time of year except the depths of winter.

North Wales, The Gower and south Cumbria are the main places to find this sub species but H. oelandicum of any sub species is uncommon in the British Isles. In Ireland the species is represented by H. oelandicum ssp piloselloides on the Burren.

Helianthemum oelandicum ssp incanum Hoary Rock-rose Llandulas Quarry 8th May 2008 Previous   Next

Helianthemum oelandicum ssp incanum

Great Orme, North Wales LHS: 26th April 2007 RHS: Llandulas Quarry 8th May 2008

January 27th 2005, updated 5th February 2009, updated 6th April 2010, updated 28th May 2013