CISTUS CRETICUS: DESCRIPTION, HABITAT, PROPERTIES, CARE - BIOLOGY - 2025

Cistus creticus is a shrub belonging to the Cistaceae family. It has some important properties for the immune system such as anti-inflammatory, antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal.

It is present in many countries in Eastern and Mediterranean Europe, as well as in North Africa. Particularly, in Spain it is found only in Menorca and in the Hoces del Júcar. It is commonly known as Menorcan steppe, Cistus de Crete or rockrose from Crete.

Cistus creticus. Source: wikimedia commons

The Cistus creticus is a shrub that measures approximately 75 cm. It grows vertically and has a more or less rounded structure. Its flower has a diameter of about 4.5-5 cm and is deep pink.

It is a fairly variable species that extends throughout the eastern Mediterranean. It grows on sandy soils, in the middle of mixed oak forests on the coasts, Aleppo pine, blackberry juniper and together with the species Erica multiflora, Thymelaea hirsuta, Clematis flammula, among others.

Description

Habit

It is a highly branched shrub that measures between 30 to 140 cm with a more or less creeping stem but without actually rooting in the ground, with little strength to stay upright.

The branches of the stem have whitish-like twigs with simple or fasciculate and dense trichomes. Sometimes these trichomes are multicellular and glandular.

Leaves

The leaves of this shrub have a wide petiole that measures between 3 and 10 mm. In turn, the sheet measures between 15 and 45 mm long by 8-20 mm wide. All the leaves are petiolate, something characteristic of the species that allows it to be distinguished from others such as Cistus albidus.

The shape of the leaf is oval and oblong-elliptical, with an acute or obtuse apex, semi-wavy margin, with the upper surface and underside covered with dense and stellate trichomes.

The underside has a very marked ribbing, with small pedicelled glands.

flowers

For its part, the inflorescence is a terminal peak, with some solitary flowers on the upper twigs. They have long pedicels that measure between 7 and 30 mm, which present abundant fasciculate or isolated trichomes.

The sepals are five and measure between 10 and 14 mm long by 5 - 9 mm wide. The petals are between 17 and 200 mm long by 16 to 17 mm wide. They are large and very showy with a denticulate margin, pink or purple in color and with a yellowish base. Sometimes individuals of this species with white or albino flowers may appear.

Cretan steppe. Source: André Karwath Aka

The stamens are unequal in size, the ovary is vile, the stigma convex, and the style reaches the stamens in size. Flowering occurs from May to June.

Fruit

The fruit of these plants is capsule type and measures 7 to 10 mm, with an ovate or acute shape, and is also covered with trichomes. The capsule, as in other rockrose, opens through five leaflets. The seeds of this species are more or less beige in color or similar to the color of straw.

Taxonomy

Its taxonomic classification is as follows:

-Kingdom: Plantae.

-Filo: Tracheophyta.

-Class: Magnoliopsida.

-Subclass: Magnoliidae.

-Superorden: Rosanae.

-Order: Malvales.

-Family: Cistaceae.

-Gender: Cistus.

-Species: Cistus creticus L. (1762).

This shrub has some synonyms like Cistus polymorphus subsp. villosus (L.) 1857, Cistus creticus subsp. corsicus (Loisel.) 1981, Cistus creticus subsp. eriocephalus (Viv.) 1981, Cistus villosus (L.) 1762.

In addition, many subspecific taxa have been proposed for this plant species. For example, subsp. creticus with wavy leaves on their edges and sticky trichomes which exude labdanum.

In the same way, cultivars such as Lasithi, which is compact and rounded, have been described. In addition to the deep pink flowers, albino forms of this species are known as C. creticus f. albus "Tania Compton".

Cistus creticus husks. Source: Gideon Pisanty (Gidip)

Habitat and distribution

Likewise, this shrub can be found growing in the interior or in the vicinity of oak forests on the coast.

This plant is found in the Iberian Peninsula, Menorca, Corsica, Sicily, the Italian Peninsula, North Africa, the Eastern Mediterranean, on the coasts of the Black Sea and the Crimea. It grows from 50 to 650 meters above sea level.

Properties

The Menorcan steppe is a plant with extraordinary properties for the immune system. Among the benefits it offers are the following:

- Stimulates the immune system in case of flu and reduces the duration of symptoms.

- Produces relief to men who have prostatic hypertrophy thanks to its cytotoxic properties.

- It has antibacterial, antiviral, antifungal and anti-inflammatory properties.

- It is useful for oral hygiene and produces a teeth whitening effect.

Cistus creticus leaves to prepare infusions. Source: © soultea.de (http://www.soultea.de/), Photographer André Helbig (http://andrehelbig.de/)

Applications

Like most Cistus species that have aromatic foliage, the C. creticus species exudes a highly aromatic gum or resin called labdanum, and since ancient times it has been used as incense. Currently, this substance is a valuable ingredient in perfumes.

Likewise, labdanum has a history of use in folk medicine, especially in Greece and Turkey. On the other hand, in the Old Testament it is mentioned as "loth" (labdanum) in the story of Joseph and his brothers.

Interestingly, in Crete it is the only place where labdanum is currently collected in a traditional way, and even its villagers have a collection of ladanum or labdanum as a common practice.

Care

In general, the cultivation of Cistus species is advisable to do it outdoors so that they thrive without any inconvenience due to the good drainage they must have, since Cistus do not tolerate waterlogging conditions.

To do this, at the time of sowing, the drainage capacity of the soil must be verified, making sure that the water that is added in the hole drains quickly. If not, it should be sown in a site with better drainage.

On the other hand, care must be taken when there is a snowfall, since Cistus are susceptible to physical damage because snow can cause damage to the structure of the branches.

This species must be cultivated with a sandy soil-based substrate or compost. However, it is usually grown with compost made from peat, coconut fiber, or other organic materials.

In addition, this plant grows well in poor, stony or sandy, dry soils, in gravel beds or partially paved areas. The sowing time is between May and September.

Flowers, stem, leaves of Cistus creticus. Source: Franz Xaver

Diseases

Like other steppe species, this plant is resistant to attack by pests and diseases. However, waterlogging conditions can cause the proliferation of fungi and with it the development of diseases that can cause the death of the plant.

Additionally, Cistus plants are hosts of the parasitic genus Cytinus, which takes all its food from the roots of these plants and, therefore, does not need leaves or other green parts of the plant. Its presence is observed when its showy flowers appear in clusters that sprout from the ground below the host plant.

References

1. Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. Species details: Cistus creticus L.
2. Tropics. 2019. Cistus creticus L. Taken from: tropicos.org
3. Feo García, S. 2017. The Menorcan steppe (Cistus creticus). Taken from: enelecotono.blogspot.com
4. Vascular Flora. 2019. Cistus creticus L. Taken from: floravascular.com
5. Spanish Association of Garden Centers. 2019. Scent and rockrose flowers in the garden (2nd part). Taken from: verdeesvida.es
6. Page, R. 2017. The Cistus & Halimium Website: Cistus creticus L. Taken from: cistuspage.org.uk
7. German Pharmacy. 2018. Taken from: farmaciagermana.com