Cistus creticus L. Pink Rock-Rose

Cistus creticus L. - Pink Rock-Rose

Scientific Description:

Shrubs, 0.3−1 m tall. Leaves ovate, oblong-obovate or suborbicular, 1−6 × 0.5−2 cm, broadly petiolate, green above. Cymes terminal, laxly 1−6-flowered. Flowers pink, 3−5(−6) cm across. Style as long as the stamens. Capsules densely adpressed-pilose.

 

Flowering time: March−June.

Habitat: Macchie and garigue, s.l.−1000 m.

 

Reference:

Coode MJE (1965). Cistus creticus L., In: Davis PH (ed.), Flora of Turkey and the East Aegean Islands, Edinburgh University Press, Edinburgh, 1: 507.

Public Description:

Cistus creticus, known as “pink rock-rose” or “hoary rock-rose”, is distributed in Crimea, Central Europe, Georgia and Mediterranean. It is a perennial shrub with pink flowers, up to 1 meter in length. It blooms between March and July and is found in macchie and garigue. It is widely used as a decorative garden schrub. The glandular hairs on the leaves yield the oleo-resin "ladanum", used medicinally and in soaps, perfumery, fumigation etc. This resin is an acceptable substitute for ambergris  and so is important in perfume manufacture. This plant has also antibiotic and antivirutic effects.

 

References:

Anonymous 1 (2016). http://www.tubives.com/index.php?sayfa=1&tax_id=1097, Accessed date: 05.01.2016.

Anonymous 2 (2016). https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cistus_creticus/, Accessed date: 05.01.2016.

Anonymous 3 (2016). http://www.naturalmedicinalherbs.net/herbs/c/cistus-creticus=rock-rose.php, Accessed date: 05.01.2016.

Yeşilyurt B E (2012). Cistus L., In: Güner, A., Aslan, S., Ekim, T., Vural, M. & Babaç, M.T. (eds.), Türkiye Bitkileri Listesi (Damarlı Bitkiler). Nezahat Gökyiğit Botanik Bahçesi ve Flora Araştırmaları Derneği Yayını. İstanbul, pp. 368–369.