Halimium

Halimium (rockrose, false sun-rose, or halimium) is a genus of 12 species of evergreen or semi-evergreen subshrubs in the family Cistaceae, closely related to Cistus. They are native to Europe, North Africa and Asia Minor, with the centre of diversity in the western Mediterranean region.

Halimium
Halimium calycinum
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Cistaceae
Genus:	Halimium (Dunal) Spach
Species
See text

The leaves are opposite, simple oval, 1–5 cm long and 0.5–2 cm broad, varying from glossy green to tomentose grey-green. The flowers are 1.5–4 cm diameter, with five petals, white or yellow; in some species the flowers are bicoloured with a dark red or brown basal spot on each petal to act as a nectar guide for pollinating insects.

Selected species

• Halimium alyssoides
• Halimium atriplicifolium
• Halimium calycinum (syn. H. commutatum)
• Halimium halimifolium
• Halimium lasianthum
• Halimium ocymoides
• Halimium umbellatum
• Halimium verticillatum
• Halimium viscosum

Several Halimium species, and the numerous hybrids and cultivars derived from them, are widely grown as ornamental plants, popular in rockeries. A broader range of colours is available among the cultivars. 'Susan', with bright yellow flowers and a purple centre, has received the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit.