Montpellier Cistus

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Montpellier Cistus
• Narrow-leaved Cistus
• Montpelier rock-rose
• Montpelier Cistus

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Synonyms

• Stephanocarpus monspeliensis
• Cistus monspeliensis f. flavescens
• Cistus monspeliensis var. feredjensis
• Cistus monspeliensis var. vulgaris
• Cistus monspeliensis var. minor
• Cistus oleifolius
• Cistus monspeliensis var. affinis
• Cistus valentinus
• Cistus monspeliensis proles affinis
• Cistus affinis
• Cistus monspeliensis proles affinis
• Cistus feredjensis
• Cistus monspeliensis subsp. affinis
• Cistus collinus
• Cistus monspeliensis f. albiflorus
• Cistus monspeliensis var. densifolius
• Cistus monspeliensis var. flavescens
• Cistus monspeliensis var. major
• Cistus monspeliensis subsp. canariensis

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant, known scientifically as Cistus monspeliensis, belongs to the kingdom Plantae and the phylum Streptophyta. Within the class Equisetopsida and subclass Magnoliidae, it is categorized under the order Malvales. Finally, it is classified under the family Cistaceae and the genus Cistus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant is primarily found across various regions of Southwestern Europe. Its distribution includes the islands of Baleares and Sardegna. Additionally, it can be located within the territory of Corse. The species also inhabits parts of France. Finally, its presence extends to the coastal regions of Portugal.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cistus monspeliensis is characterized by its adaptation to Mediterranean-type climates, where it thrives in open, sun-drenched habitats such as garrigue, maquis, and disturbed sclerophyllous shrublands. It typically colonizes well-drained, nutrient-poor, and often calcareous or siliceous soils, playing a vital role in early successional stages of ecosystem development. The species is highly drought-tolerant, utilizing specialized physiological mechanisms to survive intense summer heat and prolonged periods of water scarcity. In terms of its vertical distribution, the species occupies a specific altitudinal niche, with an observed elevational range that centers around a mean elevation of 527 m AMSL. This positioning within the landscape allows it to dominate semi-arid Mediterranean landscapes, where its fire-adapted life history facilitates rapid regeneration following periodic wildfire events.

Elevational range mean:

527 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cistus monspeliensis is characterized by its classification as a perennial plant, allowing it to persist through multiple growing seasons. In terms of its structural growth patterns and survival strategies, it exhibits distinct life forms, categorized as both a nanophanerophyte and a phanerophyte, which dictates how its shoot system and buds are positioned relative to the ground during different environmental conditions.

Life form :

nanophanerophyte

Life form :

phanerophyte

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cistus monspeliensis is characterized by a woody growth form, specifically categorized as a shrub or subshrub. It functions as an independent organism, neither acting as a parasite nor an epiphyte, as it maintains a terrestrial lifestyle. The plant is self-supporting in its structure and does not exhibit climbing tendencies, such as being a vine or liana. In terms of physical dimensions, it typically reaches a plant height ranging from a minimum of 0.3 m to a maximum of 1.2 m. While it is primarily a terrestrial species, its ecological niche can encompass semiaquatic or aquatic environments depending on specific local conditions.

Aquatic :

terrestrial

Climber :

self-supporting

Epiphyte :

terrestrial

Growth form :

shrub

Parasite :

independent

Plant height max:

1.2 m

Plant height min:

0.3 m

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cistus monspeliensis is characterized by distinct morphological and metabolic adaptations, particularly regarding its leaf structure and carbon fixation processes. This plant utilizes the C3 photosynthetic pathway, a common trait for many Mediterranean shrubs, to manage energy production. The leaves exhibit an elliptic form, with dimensions that vary significantly between individuals; typical leaf lengths range from a minimum of 1.5 cm to a maximum of 4 cm, while the leaf width fluctuates between 0.2 cm and 0.7 cm. Furthermore, the plant possesses a mean Specific Leaf Area (SLA) of 74.7 cm²/g, a metric that reflects the leaf's investment in biomass relative to its surface area, influencing its efficiency in light interception and water management within its ecological niche.

Leaf form :

elliptic

Leaf length max:

4 cm

Leaf length min:

1.5 cm

Leaf width max:

0.7 cm

Leaf width min:

0.2 cm

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Specific Leaf Area (SLA) mean:

74.7 cm²/g

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cistus monspeliensis is characterized by a seasonal flowering period that typically commences in April and concludes in June. During this stage, the plant produces white flowers that range in length from a minimum of 0.9 cm to a maximum of 1.4 cm. Following successful pollination, the plant develops dry fruits in the form of capsules, which reach a maximum length of approximately 0.4 cm. The seeds produced are notably minute, with a mean mass of 0.0009341665 g, ranging from a minimum of 0.000806 g to a maximum of 0.001 g. For the distribution of its progeny, the species utilizes an autochorous dispersal syndrome, relying on self-dispersal mechanisms to spread its seeds.

Dispersal syndrome :

autochorous

Flower colour :

white

Flower length max:

1.4 cm

Flower length min:

0.9 cm

Flowering time :

Apr

Flowering time :

Jun

Fruit dryness :

dry

Fruit length max:

0.4 cm

Fruit type :

capsule

Seed mass max:

0.001 g

Seed mass mean:

0.0009341665 g

Seed mass min:

0.000806 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Plant Parts

Cistus monspeliensis has 2 reported plant parts identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases that are studied for medicinal purposes. The most consistently reported plant part include leaf, fruit.

Leaf

1. Molecules (Basel, Switzerland)
2. Planta medica

Fruit

1. Planta medica

Chemicals

Cistus monspeliensis has 4 reported phytochemicals identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Flavonoids, Condensed Tannins, Manoyl oxide, ent-13-epi-manoyl oxide.

Flavonoids

1. Biochemistry research international
2. Cell biology and toxicology

Condensed Tannins

1. Biochemistry research international

Manoyl oxide

1. Planta medica

ent-13-epi-manoyl oxide

1. Planta medica

Activities

Cistus monspeliensis has 4 reported activities identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported activities include Antibacterial, Antifungal, Antimicrobial, Antioxidant.

Antibacterial

1. Therapie

Antifungal

1. Therapie

Antimicrobial

1. PloS one

Antioxidant

1. International journal of environmental health research

Conditions

Cistus monspeliensis has 9 reported investigations on conditions identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include Escherichia coli, Herpes simplex virus type 1, Staphylococcus aureus, cancer, cardiovascular diseases.

Escherichia coli

1. International journal of environmental health research

Herpes simplex virus type 1

1. Natural product research

Staphylococcus aureus

1. International journal of environmental health research

Cancer

1. Biochemistry research international

Cardiovascular diseases

1. Biochemistry research international

Hyperglycemia

1. BioMed research international

Inflammation

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Oxidative stress

1. Biochemistry research international

Skin diseases

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Preparations

Cistus monspeliensis has 9 reported preparations identified across 3 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported preparations include Essential oils, butanolic (BUE) extracts, crude aqueous extracts, ethanolic extracts, hexane extracts.

Essential oils

1. Planta medica

Butanolic (bue) extracts

1. Biochemistry research international

Crude aqueous extracts

1. Cell biology and toxicology

Ethanolic extracts

1. International journal of environmental health research

Hexane extracts

1. Planta medica

Hydromethanolic extracts

1. Brazilian journal of biology = Revista brasleira de biologia

Methanol extracts

1. PloS one

Phenolic extracts

1. Biochemistry research international

Water/acetone (wae) extracts

1. Biochemistry research international