The word "xerotes" is derived from Ancient Greek words meaning "dry". Xerotes is a type of woody shrub which is a member of the Rosaceae family of plants. The shrub is endemic to the Mediterranean region and the eastern and southern slopes of the Apennine Mountains. Xerotes trees grow up to 8-10 meters tall and their bark is a dark brown, textured with thin, vertical lines. The leaves are small, simple and a light green color. The flowers are small and white, and they occur in clusters at the ends of the branches.