Cistus salviifolius

The genus name Cistus derives from the Ancient Greek words κίσθος (kisthos) meaning basket, while the species name salviifolius refers the wrinkled leaves similar to those of the sage.[3]

Cistus salviifolius has spreading stems covered by clumpy hairs. This bushy shrub reaches on average 30–60 centimetres (12–24 in) in height, with a maximum of 100 centimetres (39 in). The oval-shaped green leaves are 1 to 4 centimeters long, opposite, reticulate, tomentose on both sides, with a short petiole (2–4 mm).[4]

The inflorescence holds one or more round flowers, long-stalked, arranged at the leaf axils. The five white petals have a yellow spot at the base, forming a corolla 4–6 cm in diameter. The stamens are also yellow and the anthers shed abundant yellow pollen. This plant is pollinated by insects (entomophily), especially by bees. The flowering period extends from April through May. The fruit is a pentagonal capsule, 5–7 mm long.[4]

Cistus salviifolius belongs to the white and whitish pink flowered clade of Cistus species.

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  Plants of Cistus salviifolius
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  Close-up on a flower of Cistus salviifolius
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  Fruits of Cistus salviifolius
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  Close-up on a fruit of Cistus salviifolius
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  Leaves of Cistus salviifolius

Cistus salviifolius cultivated in the nursery industry, and grown in gardens and public landscapes, often for its drought-tolerant and pollinator habitat attributes.

This showy wildflower is native to the Mediterranean region, in southern Europe[4] and parts of Western Asia and North Africa.

This plant prefers dry hills, scrubland and open woodlands, at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,937 ft) above sea level.[4] It regrows very quickly following a fire.

Other synonyms reported by The Plant List include:

• Cistus apricus Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus arrigens Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus elegans Timb.-Lagr.[10]
• Cistus fruticans Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus humilis Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus microphyllus Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus platyphyllus Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus rhodanensis Timb.-Lagr.
• Cistus sideritis C.Presl
• Cistus velutinus Timb.-Lagr.

Cistus salviifolius contains flavan-3ols, oligomeric proanthocyanidins[11] and prodelphinidins such as epigallocatechin-3-O-(4-hydroxybenzoate), epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin -3-O-gallate-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin, epigallocatechin-(4β→6)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, 1-O-β-d -(6′-O-galloyl)-glucopyranosyl-3-methoxy-5-hydroxybenzene, epigallocatechin-(4β→8)-epigallocatechin-3-O-gallate, 1-O-β-d- glucopyranosyl-3-methoxy-5-hydroxybenzene and rhododendrin (betuloside).[12] It also contains ellagitannins of the punicalagin type.[13]

Wikimedia Commons has media related to Cistus salviifolius.

• Cistus salviifolius in the CalPhotos photo database, University of California, Berkeley
• "Cistus salviifolius". Calflora. Berkeley, California: The Calflora Database.
• "Cistus salviifolius". Plants for a Future.
• Jepson Manual Treatment - Cistus salviifolius