Annuals or evergreen, woody, dwarf perennials. Leaves opposite at least below, entire, with or without stipules. Inflorescence a simple terminal cyme; flowers actinomorphic, bisexual, hypogynous. Sepals 5, the outer 2 smaller than the inner 3 except in Cistus, or 3 only. Petals 5, predominantly yellow or white. Stamens numerous. Style 1 or absent; stigma 1, but 3-lobed or 5-lobed in Cistus, or stigmas 3. Ovary 1-celled, with many ovules on 3 placentae (5-celled in Cistus). Fruit a capsule with 3 or 5 valves.

Contains 7 genera and about 180 species. Native to temperate areas and especially the Mediterranean.

Tuberaria (Dunal) Spach

Helianthemum sect. Tuberaria Dunal

Annual or perennial herbs with basal leaf-rosette or a woody stock. Leaves opposite, entire. Inflorescence a cyme. Sepals 5. Petals 5. Stamens numerous. Stigma more or less sessile. Fruit a capsule.

Contains 12 species, mainly from central and south Europe.

T. guttata (L.) Fourr. Spotted Rock-rose Cistus guttatus L.; Helianthemum guttatum (L.) Mill.

Annual herb. Stems up to 30 cm, pale green, more or less procumbent to erect, with stellate and simple eglandular hairs. Leaves medium green, 3-veined; basal forming a rosette, usually dead at anthesis; lower cauline opposite, with lamina 1.5–5.0 cm, elliptical-lanceolate, subacute at apex, entire; upper cauline alternate, shorter and narrower, linear-oblong or linear-lanceolate, more or less revolute, with conspicuous linear stipules; all with stellate hairs on both surfaces or only simple eglandular hairs on upper surface.