California's only native rock-rose is blooming right now in Henry Cowell State Park. Park interpreter Daniel Williford tells us all about it.
by Daniel Williford
May 20, 2014—Like miniature sunshine glowing along the trails of the chaparral, the yellow rock-rose (Helianthemum scoparium) is now in bloom. One look at the yellow five-petaled beauty and you’ll want to learn more about this flower that graces the California landscape from Mendocino County south to San Diego County, and which appears in a few Sierra foothills counties as well. The broad petals, crumpled up in the bud, never get smoothed out upon blossoming, giving them the appearance of yellow crepe paper. No relation to true roses, the yellow rock-rose is in a family all its own, fittingly known as the rock-rose family (Cistaceae). Other names for this flower are peak rush-rose or sun rose. With a spring flowering season from March to June, there is still time to catch sight of this delicate beauty while meandering through the scrubby chaparral.
Since it prefers dry, sunny slopes, you can see it blooming in Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park along the Pine Trail, especially near the Observation Deck. This tufted perennial is a low grower, reaching only about a foot high with many spreading stems and narrow linear leaves. The small flowers typically open perpendicular to the ground. Interestingly, the numerous stamens will bend themselves upward around the ovary, ultimately pointing towards the sun.
Surviving in the arid chaparral, the yellow rock-rose has adapted to live with fire. Known as an obligate seeder, the adult plant will die in a blaze with the seeds germinating abundantly in the aftermath. Opening only in the sun, the yellow rock-rose has earned its genus name from the Greek words helios, meaning “sun,” and anthemun, meaning “flower” (though it’s not in the sunflower family!). The species name comes from a hybrid of both Latin and Greek; scoparium means “broom-like,” referring to the plant structure.
Many of our local landscape plants are relatives of this rock-rose, and they harken from the Mediterranean, but this is the only genus of the Cistaceae family native to California. Now that the yellow rock-rose has been brought into your awareness, keep your eyes open for its glow along the trail and take time to revel in its shine.
Daniel Williford is a plant enthusiast with a particular focus on California native plants. Having lived in Mendocino and San Diego, he now calls Santa Cruz home. This has given him the wonderful opportunity to experience the beautiful floristic diversity throughout this amazing state. Working for a variety of organizations (California State Parks, public schools and outdoor science schools), he has taught outdoor and environmental education for all ages. Currently, he serves as the park interpreter at Henry Cowell Redwoods State Park in Felton.
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