Poplar-leaved rock-rose

Names and Synonyms

Common Names

• Poplar-leaved rock-rose

Scientific Names

Accepted name

Regional and Traditional Names

Sources: Wikidata, Catalogue of Life

Taxonomical Classification

This plant belongs to the kingdom Plantae and is classified under the phylum Streptophyta within the class Equisetopsida. It is further categorized under the subclass Magnoliidae and the order Malvales. Finally, it is a member of the family Cistaceae and falls under the genus Cistus.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Distribution

This plant exhibits a specific geographical distribution across the Mediterranean region. In Southwestern Europe, it can be found growing within the territories of France, Portugal, and Spain. Its range also extends across the sea into Northern Africa. Specifically, it is documented to inhabit the landscapes of Morocco. Therefore, its natural habitat is concentrated primarily in these coastal and southern European regions.

Sources: The World Checklist of Vascular Plants (WCVP)

Botanical Identification

Ecology

The ecology of Cistus populifolius is characterized by its adaptation to specific altitudinal gradients within its native Mediterranean-type habitats. It typically thrives within a distinct elevational range, finding its optimal niche at a mean elevation of 453.5 m AMSL. This positioning suggests a preference for mid-altitude landscapes, where it can interact with specific soil compositions and moisture regimes characteristic of these transitional zones. The species is often found in open, sun-exposed environments such as garrigue or maquis shrublands, where its survival is closely tied to the thermal and hydric conditions found at these specific elevations.

Elevational range mean:

453.5 m AMSL

Life history

The life history of Cistus populifolius is characterized by its status as a perennial species, allowing it to persist in its environment over multiple growing seasons. As a long-lived woody shrub, it establishes a stable presence within its native Mediterranean habitats, undergoing seasonal cycles of vegetative growth and reproductive phases. Throughout its lifespan, the plant focuses on developing a robust root system and woody structure that support its survival through varying climatic conditions, ensuring its ability to bloom and produce seeds annually once maturity is reached.

Lifecycle :

perennial

Morphology

The morphology of Cistus populifolius is characterized by its distinct growth form as a shrub, exhibiting a robust and perennial structural habit. This plant is consistently woody in its construction, developing firm, lignified stems that support its overall architecture. As a shrubby species, it maintains a multi-stemmed or branched framework that is typical of many members of the Cistaceae family, contributing to its stable and persistent presence in its natural habitat.

Growth form :

shrub

Woodiness :

woody

Physiology

The physiology of Cistus populifolius is fundamentally defined by its carbon fixation strategy, utilizing a C3 photosynthetic pathway. In this metabolic process, the plant captures atmospheric carbon dioxide through the enzyme RuBisCO, which facilitates the initial carboxylation of ribulose-1,5-bisphosphate to form 3-phosphoglycerate. This C3 mechanism is typical of many woody shrubs in the Cistaceae family, allowing the plant to optimize growth in environments where water availability and temperature permit efficient gas exchange. The metabolic efficiency of this pathway is closely tied to the plant's transpiration rates and its ability to manage stomatal conductance, which directly influences its overall energy production and biomass accumulation.

Photosynthetic pathway :

C3

Reproduction

The reproduction of Cistus populifolius is characterized by the production of exceptionally lightweight seeds, with a consistent seed mass recorded at 0.00168 g, representing the minimum, mean, and maximum values. These minute seeds are primarily distributed via an anemochorous dispersal syndrome, meaning they are adapted for transport by wind currents, which allows the plant to colonize open or disturbed habitats effectively.

Dispersal syndrome :

anemochorous

Seed mass mean:

0.00168 g

Sources: Global Inventory of Floras and Traits (GIFT)

Chemicals

Cistus populifolius has 2 reported phytochemicals identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported chemicals include Ellagitannins, Tannin.

Ellagitannins

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Tannin

1. Food and chemical toxicology : an international journal published for the British Industrial Biological Research Association

Conditions

Cistus populifolius has 1 reported investigations on conditions identified across 0 scientific publications and several other databases. The most consistently reported conditions include gastrointestinal disorders.

Gastrointestinal disorders

1. Journal of ethnopharmacology