the.com/rockrose
The Mediterranean shrub that waits for wildfire to crack its seeds open.
means A small, drought-hardy shrub of the genus Cistus (and related plants), native to the Mediterranean and bearing papery, rose-like flowers in white, pink, or purple.
from A plain English compound of "rock" and "rose": a rose-like flower that thrives on dry, rocky, sun-baked ground. The botanical name Cistus comes from the Greek kistos, the ancient name for the plant, and gives us the family Cistaceae.
- fire lover
- Some species need flames to germinate their seeds
- day flowers
- Petals fall by afternoon, replaced next morning
- sticky resin
- Leaves ooze labdanum, an ancient perfume ingredient
- goat harvest
- Resin once combed from grazing goats' beards
- crepe paper
- Blooms look wrinkled, like fabric left in pockets
cistus ladanifer — mediterranean shrub producing labdanum resin, used in perfumery for over 2000 years
helianthemum nummularium — common european rockrose with yellow flowers, found across limestone hills from uk to alps
tuberaria guttata — spotted rockrose native to southern europe and north africa, blooms spring with distinctive red-spotted petals