ROCKROSE (CISTUS): CHARACTERISTICS, HABITAT, SPECIES, PROPERTIES, PESTS - BIOLOGY - 2025

The thickets and steppes, known under the scientific name of Cistus belong to the family Cistaceae and comprise about 70 species, some of which are calcifuges, indicating that can grow in acidic, granite or slate rocks. They are found scattered in light forests and with a Mediterranean or sub-Mediterranean climate, but they can also be found in oak or oak forests.

The Cistus has a very peculiar characteristic, since a large part of its species can survive fire; In addition, it helps them in the germination of the seeds. It should be noted that some species of this genus are resinous, therefore, they burn even when the plant is green. Now, in terms of their use, most of these plants are used as ornamentals and medicinal plants.

Genus Cistus. Source: H. Zell

characteristics

Habit

The plants of the genus Cistus are shrubs or shrubs, evergreen, therefore they always appear covered with constantly changing leaves. They are fragrant shrubs, they have a very apparent bark, they are frequently covered with many protective and glandular hairs.

Cistus bush. Source: H. Zell

Leaves

They are opposite, simple, petiolate or sessile and devoid of stipules which are usually laminar structures, which form on each side of the leaf base.

Cistus leaves. Source: Krzysztof Golik

Inflorescence

Jara or Steppe. Source: pixabay.com

They can be found of the cimosa type in which their main axis produces a flower equal to that of the secondary axes that are born on their side, terminal or axillary.

On the other hand, they are racemiform or umbelliform. In the inflorescence, the central flowers open first and then continue in a centrifugal way; it is also unilateral scorpioid, in which there is a branching per node in the terminal flower.

Also, solitary flowers can be found.

Flower

This genus has hermaphrodite flowers, very showy. The flowers have 5 sepals of which the 2 outermost ones are greater or less than the inner sepals, sometimes three of these five sepals correspond to the inner ones.

This means that its outer sepals (epicalyx) are similar to or greater than the inner ones. Now, in some cases these sepals are non-existent.

Cistus flower. Source: pixabay.com

Regarding its petals, it has 5 very showy ones, wrinkled in the bud, with colors that vary between red, pink, white or purple. On some plants, yellow or purple spots are found in the direction of the base.

Depending on the species, 30 to 150 pluriseriate and fertile stamens can be found.

Regarding the ovary, it is characterized by presenting between 5 (6-12) carpels and 5 (6-12) locules. His style is more or less long, straight, sometimes inconspicuous. Its stigma is large, discoid with 5 to 12 lobes and its rudiments are seminal orthotropic.

Illustration of the Cistus plant. Source: Illustrations for Das Pflanzenreich are by Joseph Pohl (1864–1939)

A striking feature of the flowers of the plants of this genus is the lack of aroma and even nectar, for which they resort to the color and size of their flowers and the abundant pollen produced by their stamens, which is highly sought after and eaten. by visiting insects.

Fruit

It is capsule type. It is found on generally erect peduncles or stems of the fruit and presents a loculicidal dehiscence, which means that the fruit opens through the middle nerve of the carpels and divides into 5 (6-12) valves.

Cistus fruit. Source: Krzysztof Ziarnek, Kenraiz

Seeds

Most species are numerous, polyhedral with a filiform, circinate embryo and linear cotyledons.

Taxonomy

The genus Cistus also known as rockrose or steppe, has 70 species and its taxonomic classification is as follows:

Kingdom: Plantae

Phylum: Tracheophyta

Class: Magnoliopsida

Order: Malvales

Family: Cistaceae

Genus: Cistus.

Habitat and distribution

Habitat

Rockrose or steppes are part of garrigues, which are a type of ecoregion composed of plant formations that arise in the biomes of the Mediterranean forests. It is commonly a habitat degraded by anthropic action, as well as the understory of clear forests, under a Mediterranean or sub-Mediterranean climate.

These plants can completely cover the ground by forming compact masses and thus establish a thick thicket. Therefore, it is very common to find these species in other communities that are in the degradation stage.

Presence of Cistus in degraded soils. Source: Etrusko25

Most rockrose does not thrive or do so in a limited way in soils rich in calcium carbonates (calcite) or magnesium and calcium (dolomite), and are therefore considered calcifugal plants. However, they grow on acid rock soils such as quartzite, slate or granite, and very few are indifferent to the substrate.

Therefore, these shrubs are well adapted to semi-arid climates with strong sunshine thanks to their hairy clothing, which is proof of their adaptation to the xeric regime. This clothing is sometimes whitish and covers its aerial parts, especially the leaves.

Distribution

Regarding its dispersion, the genus Cistus can be found throughout the Mediterranean region from North Africa to the western coast of France and in the Canary Islands and Portugal to the East. Thus, the most abundant development takes place in the western Mediterranean.

Species

It is important to point out that all the representatives of the genus Cistus have a similar chromosome number (2n = 18), hence their hybridization is so common, which is why around twenty natural interspecific hybrids are currently known, together with numerous cultivars of hybrid origin for ornamental use purposes.

Now, there are 70 species reported for this genus. Among the most representative are the following:

- Cistus albidus

It is also known as steppe or white rockrose, and has the following interspecific taxon:

Cistus albidus var. to nthyllidetorum O. Bolos & Vigo.

Botanical description

This species is represented by shrubs 40 to 150 cm tall, erect, with a grayish bark. Its twigs have stellate trichomes and some simple ones in the nodes.

As for its leaves, these are 15-65 mm long by 5-25 mm wide, all are similar, sessile in which the blade (the blade) sits directly on the stem.

Its inflorescence is of the cimosa, terminal and multiflora type (in the main one there are 3 to 8 flowers). These flowers are characterized by having 5 purple to pinkish sepals and petals. Its fruit is capsule type.

Cistus albidus. Source: Consultaplantas

Distribution

White rockrose grows in any type of soil, however, it prefers soils rich in lime. It is reported in Portugal, Spain, Gibraltar, the Balearic Islands, France, Corsica, Sardinia, Italy, Algeria and Morocco.

- Cistus clussi

Commonly called romerina or male rosemary. It has an interspecific taxon:

Cistus clusii var. multiflorus (Demoly) AM Blunt

Botanical description

It is an erect shrub that can have heights between 20 and 100 cm, its bark being gray and at the end brownish. It has twigs more or less covered with long simple hairs, somewhat hirsute and droopy.

Cistus clusii. Source: © Hans Hillewaert

Its leaves are almost whorled on the short axillary shoots, seated, 10–26 mm by 1-4 mm. They are generally linear and their upper face is convex, more or less glabrous, with a bright color. It is noteworthy that the leaves resemble those of rosemary, from which it differs by the characteristic smell that this species gives off.

It has small flowers, with 5 white petals and a capsule-type fruit.

Distribution

The Cistus clussi, is documented for Spain, Sicily, Italy, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

- Cistus ladanifer

This species is known by the common name of sticky rockrose. Which has three interspecific taxa:

-Cistus ladanifer subsp. l adanifer

-Cistus ladanifer subsp. m auritianus Pau & Sennen

-Cistus ladanifer subsp. s ulcatus (JP Demoly) P. Montserrat

Botanical description

The sticky rockrose is an erect, sometimes procumbent shrub that can grow from 50 to 400 cm tall. Its wood is hard and its bark is sticky with a reddish-brown color.

This species is characterized by having a sticky and odorous substance in its twigs, as well as leaves called labdanum, with a strong-smelling resin.

Its leaves are 40–100 mm in size by 6–21 mm. They are sessile or somewhat petiolate and are welded together at the base, with a somewhat jumbled margin. Its upper face is dark green and glabrous.

Cistus ladanifer. Source: Burkhard Mücke

With regard to the flower, the sticky rockrose has solitary, terminal flowers, 5 to 8 cm in diameter, very showy. It has 3 oval sepals with yellowish-green hairs and white petals with a small yellow spot at their base, sometimes another purple one superimposed.

Its fruit is capsule type which has 1 mm long seeds.

Distribution

It is frequently found in the western Mediterranean region.

- Cistus laurifolius

Also called rockrose or mountain steppe.

Botanical description

The Cistus laurifolius species is represented by smaller shrubs with a size between 1 to 3 m high, with erect greyish stems and brownish-red bark, not sticky, which comes off in strips.

Cistus laurifolius. Source: Meneerke bloem

Regarding its leaves, its size is 40-90 mm long by 17-30 mm wide, ovate-lanceolate and oval-lanceolate.

Its inflorescence is of the cimosa umbiliform type, with a main axis of 6 to 28 cm and 1 to 9 flowers. In turn, its flowers have 3 sepals, ovate - lanceolate and white petals, with a yellow base, without the purple spot. And its capsule-type fruit, in which there are 1 mm globose smooth polyhedral seeds.

Cistus laurifolius. Source: Xemenendura

Distribution

The mountain steppe is found in Portugal, Spain, Andorra, France, Corsica, Italy, Greece, Morocco or Turkey.

- Cistus crispus

They are dense shrubs with heights ranging from 20 to 70 cm. Its branches are procumbent, aromatic of green color and shiny reddish brown scaly bark. Its twigs are provided with stellate and simple hairs, unicellular, long and white.

Its leaves are 12-35 mm long by 4-13 mm wide. They are sessile welded at the base, ovate or elliptical to ovate - lanceolate, with a frizzy wavy margin.

Its inflorescence is short, with flowers of 5 sepals and deep purple striated petals, sometimes albino. The fruit is capsule type with 1 mm smooth testa seeds.

Distribution

The Cistus crispus is documented for Portugal, Spain, France, Corsica, Sicily, Tunisia, Algeria and Morocco.

- Cistus monspeliensis

This species of Cistus is known as jagz or black steppe.

Botanical description

The black steppe is a shrub that is 60 to 180 cm tall, it is straight, branchy, slimy and very compact. It has twigs covered with stiff and rough hairs (hirsute twigs).

Its leaves are subsessile, linear in shape - lanceolate or narrowly elliptical, light green membranous. It has an inflorescence at the top unilateral scorpioid, with 2-9 flowers. In turn, these flowers are composed of 5 similar sepals and white petals 9–14 mm by 6–10 mm.

Cistus monspeliensis. Source: Javier Sanchez Goalkeeper

Like the previous species, its fruit is capsule type (4 mm). The calyx is acrid, which means that it continues to grow after the flower is fertilized. It has reticulated and rough seeds of 1.5 mm.

Distribution

Its area of ​​distribution is limited to low and warm areas. It is reported for: Portugal, Spain, Balearic Islands, France, Corsica, Sardinia, Malta, Sicily, Italy, Montenegro, Croatia, Albania, Greece, Tunisia, Algeria, Morocco, Turkey, Cyprus, Canary Islands and in California (United States).

Properties

Regarding the properties, several representatives of this genus are characterized by being medicinal such as:

-Antibacterial.

-Antifungal.

-Antiviral.

-Anticancer.

-Anti-inflammatory.

-Antioxidant.

-Strengthens the immune system.

-Helps in the treatment of infections in the respiratory tract.

-Combats skin and stomach problems.

Diseases and pests

Diseases

Gray mold

This disease is caused by the fungus Botrytis cinerea Pers. 1981. It produces a large amount of gray mycelium and some conidiophores, whose apical cells form clusters of conidia. These clusters and conidiophores have the appearance of a bunch of grapes.

Gray mold causes necrosis of seedlings, leaves, buds, shoots, and flowers. This infection occurs in conditions of high humidity.

Chancre

Produced by Botryosphaeria dothidea, which causes necrosis and later the appearance of cankers.

It is characterized by the presence of elongated cortical lesions or chancre, which can occupy the entire length of the branch.

Pests

Woodlouse

It is an insect covered in a waxy white powder. It feeds in groups by pecking the leaves and consumes the sap, thus causing leaf loss.

Dactylopius coccus. Source: Frank Vincentz

Aphid

These insects belong to the Aphididae family. They are found in the branches and stems, consume the sap and later produce death. When this insect is located on the flowers or branches, it secretes a sugary substance from its anus and this liquid also affects the plant.

Red spider (

T. urticae is easily detected as red spots on leaves or stems. This spider feeds on the cellular contents of the leaves, thus leaving a pale spot, which, as it increases, affects its photosynthesis.

Red spider colony. Source: Aleksey Gnilenkov from Moscow, Russia

References

1. Bolaños M. and Guinea E. 1949. Jarales y Jaras (Hispanic cystography). Ministry of Agriculture, Forest Research and Experiences Institute. N ° 49.
2. Catalog of Life: 2019 Annual Checklist. 2019. Cistus. Taken from: catalogueoflife.org
3. Ferrandis P., Martínez J. Agudo A., Cano A., Gallar J. and Herranz J. 1999. Presence of species of the genus Cistus L. (Cistaceae) in the soil seed bank in the grassland of the Park raña Cabañeros National. Agricultural research, forest resources system 8 (2) page 16.

4. Gutiérrez J., Sánchez M. and Trapero A. 2010. El Chancro de la jara pringosa. Agroforestry pathology group of the University of Córdoba. Ministry of the environment.
5. Gómez A., Sánchez M., Peinado E., Mata C., Domenech V. and Megías D. 1989. Consumption of rockrose (Cistus sp.) By dairy goat cattle in a semi-extensive regime. Pastures 19 (1-2): 29-43.