Cistus salviifolius

Cistus salviifolius
Cistus salviifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom: Plantae
(unranked): Angiosperms
(unranked): Eudicots
(unranked): Rosids
Order: Malvales
Family: Cistaceae
Genus: Cistus
Species: C. salviifolius
Binomial name
Cistus salviifolius
L.

Cistus salviifolius, common name Sage-leaved Rock Rose or Salvia Cistus, is a perennial ligneous plant of Cistaceae family.

Contents

Etymology

The genus name Cistus derives from the Greek words κίσϑος (kisthos) meaning basket , while the species name salviifolius refers the wrinkled leaves similar to those of the sage. [1]

Description

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). [2]

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 bees. The flowering period extends from April through May. The fruit is a pentagonal capsule, 5-7 mm long. [2]

Gallery

  • Plants of Cistus salviifolius

  • Close-up on a flower of Cistus salviifolius

  • Fruits of Cistus salviifolius

  • Close-up on a fruit of Cistus salviifolius

  • Leaves of Cistus salviifolius

Cultivation

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


Distribution

This showy wildflower is native to the Mediterranean region, in southern Europe [2] and parts of Western Asia and North Africa.


Habitat

This plant prefers dry hills, scrubs and open woodlands, at an altitude of 0–1,200 metres (0–3,900 ft) above sea level. [2] It grows very quickly after a fire.

Synonyms

  • Cistus macrocalyx Sennen & Pau
  • Cistus paui Sennen
  • Cistus salomonis Sennen & Malag.
  • Cistus salviifolius [ß] macrocalyx Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [1] brevipedunculatus Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [2] longipedunculatus Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [alfa] vulgaris Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [delta] biflorus Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [epsilon] cymosus Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius [gamma] grandifolius Willk.
  • Cistus salviifolius var. fissipetalus Sennen
  • Cistus salviifolius var. occidentalis Rouy & Foucaud
  • Cistus salviifolius var. rierae Sennen
  • Cistus salviifolius var. schizocalyx Sennen
  • Cistus salviifolius L.
  • Ledonia peduncularis var. salviifolia (L.) Spach
  • Ledonia peduncularis Spach[3]

References

  1. ^ Acta Plantarum
  2. ^ a b c d Pignatti S. - Flora d'Italia – Edagricole – 1982. Vol. II, pag. 122
  3. ^ Synonyms in Anthos

External links

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