Grey-leaved Cistus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Grey-leaved Cistus
• grey-leaf cistus
• white-leaf rock-rose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Cistus albidus f. albus
• Cistus albidus var. albus
• Cistus albidus var. anthyllidetorum
• Cistus albereensis
• Cistus albeerensis var. barcinonensis
• Cistus albidus var. angustifolius
• Cistus vulgaris var. albidus
• Cistus albidus var. attenuatifolius
• Cistus albidus var. grandifolius
• Cistus albidus var. latifolius
• Cistus albidus var. longifolius
• Cistus albidus var. parvifolius
• Cistus albidus f. platyphyllus
• Cistus albidus var. stenophyllus

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta, falling under the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae. Within the order Malvales, it is classified under the family Cistaceae and the genus Cistus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution concentrated within the Mediterranean region of Southwestern Europe. It can be found growing across several key island territories, including the Baleares, Corse, and Sardegna. Beyond these islands, its range extends to the mainland portions of the European coast. Specifically, its presence is documented within the borders of France. Finally, the species is also distributed throughout the coastal landscapes of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cistus albidus is characterized by its preference for specific altitudinal zones within Mediterranean ecosystems, typically thriving at an elevational range that centers around a mean of 748 m AMSL. It is most frequently found in maquis shrublands and garrigue habitats, where it occupies well-drained, calcareous, or siliceous soils. This species is highly adapted to xeric environments, demonstrating significant resilience to summer droughts and high solar radiation through its specialized physiological mechanisms. It often functions as a pioneer species in disturbed areas or in landscapes shaped by fire, playing a crucial role in soil stabilization and nutrient cycling within its specific montane and sub-montane ecological niches.

Elevational range mean:

748 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cistus albidus is characterized by its status as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons and maintain a stable presence within its Mediterranean ecosystem. As a nanophanerophyte, its growth habit is defined by having small, woody stems that remain relatively low to the ground, typically staying below a certain height threshold while providing a structural foundation for its foliage and seasonal blooms. This combination of a long-lived lifecycle and a compact, low-growing life form enables the species to endure environmental fluctuations and successfully colonize rocky or scrubland habitats.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cistus albidus is characterized by a growth form primarily categorized as a shrub or subshrub, exhibiting a robust and distinctly woody structure. While it functions as a self-supporting plant, its architectural habit can occasionally manifest climbing tendencies, behaving as a self-supporting liana or vine in certain environmental contexts. This woody development allows the plant to maintain a stable, perennial framework, distinguishing its physical stature from non-woody or herbaceous species.

Climber :

self-supporting

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cistus albidus is characterized by a specialized carbon assimilation strategy and distinct morphological adaptations to its environment. The plant utilizes a C3 photosynthetic pathway, which dictates its metabolic processes and gas exchange mechanisms during carbon fixation. This metabolic framework is complemented by its structural leaf properties, specifically a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 95.16 cm²/g. This value reflects a specific balance between leaf thickness and surface area, playing a crucial role in the plant's resource acquisition, water-use efficiency, and its ability to regulate transpiration within its ecological niche.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

95.16 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cistus albidus is characterized by the production of small seeds and specific dispersal mechanisms. The seeds produced by this species are notably lightweight, with a minimum mass of 0.00098 g, a maximum mass of 0.00123 g, and a mean seed mass of approximately 0.001105 g. These seeds are contained within dry fruits, a trait that facilitates their release and subsequent movement. Regarding the dispersal syndrome, the plant is primarily anemochorous, relying on wind for the distribution of its seeds, though it also exhibits characteristics consistent with unspecialized dispersal strategies.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Fruit dryness :

dry

Seed mass max:

0.00123 g

Seed mass mean:

0.001105 g

Seed mass min:

0.00098 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cistus albidus has 1 reported plant parts identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf.

Leaf

1. Food science & nutrition

Chemicals

Cistus albidus has 11 reported phytochemicals identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Gallic acid, RUTIN, polyphenols, Astragalin, CALCIUM.

Gallic acid

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)
2. Food science & nutrition

RUTIN

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)
2. Food science & nutrition

polyphenols

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Food science & nutrition

Astragalin

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

CALCIUM

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

CATECHIN

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

POTASSIUM

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Terpenes

1. Plants (Basel, Switzerland)

catechol

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

quercetin

1. Food science & nutrition

Activities

Cistus albidus has 3 reported activities identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Analgesic, Antioxidant, Hypoglycemic.

Analgesic

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Antioxidant

1. Acta pharmaceutica (Zagreb, Croatia)

Hypoglycemic

1. Food science & nutrition

Medicinal Uses

Cistus albidus has 4 reported medicinal uses identified across 1 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported uses include inflammation, leukemia, pain, prostate cancer.

Most Reported Uses

Preparations