Cistus clusii

A shrub of the Cistaceae family, this species is confined to the western Mediterranean basin, present in Spain, Portugal, southern France, southern Italy, and North Africa. It colonizes open garrigues, clear maquis, rocky limestone and siliceous slopes, clear pinewoods, and sunny embankments, from sea level up to about 1,000 meters in altitude. It thrives on dry, poor, and well-drained substrates, in full sun exposure.

It is a small-sized shrub, reaching 30 to 80 centimeters in height, with a bushy and branched habit, with upright to slightly arched branches. The leaves are very narrow, linear, rolled on their edges, grayish-green to dark green, reminiscent in shape of rosemary, which is an immediate distinctive feature within the genus Cistus.

The flowers are white, with five delicate petals crumpled like paper, centered with a cluster of yellow stamens, solitary or in small groups at the end of the branches. They are ephemeral, lasting only one day, but succeed abundantly throughout the flowering period.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from April to June.

In cultivation, it requires a perfectly drained, dry, poor soil, in full sun, and does not tolerate cold, wet winters. Resistant to intense summer drought, it is suitable for Mediterranean rock gardens and dry gardens.