CISTUS SALVIIFOLIUS

Family:- CISTACEAE

Common Name:- Sage-leaved cistus.

Synonyms:- Cistus cupanianus, Cistus gautieri, Cistus humilis.

Meaning:- Cistus (Gr) Capsule.

Salviifolius (L) Sage-leaved.

General description:- Much-branched, bushy shrublet up to 80 cm, and wide;

bark greyish-brown, rugulose.

Leaves:-

1) 2-4 cm, short-petiolate: blade ovate-oblong, green and thinly pilose, often

undulate, bullate above, conspicuously reticulate-veined beneath.

Flowers:-

1) Rather long-pedicellate, usually solitary or paired.

2) Sepals, 5, outer two, cordate at the base.

3) Petals, c. 2 cm, contiguous, obovate, usually emarginate, white (drying yellow).

Fruit:-

1) Capsule, globose, c. 7 mm

Key features:-

1) Leaves short-petiolate, blade elliptical.

2) Petals c. 2 cm.

Habitat:- Common constituent of dry open shrubby vegetation and open coniferous

woodland, often together with Cistus creticus. 0-1000 m.

Distribution:- Throughout Greece, but less common in the interior and especially.

in the N.- Widespread in the Medit. region. Widespread and common on Crete.

Flowering time:- Mid-Mar to earIy June.

Photos by:- Steve Lenton