Cretan rockrose
Cistus creticus L.
Cistus creticus is a shrubby plant in the Cistaceae family, commonly known as Cretan rockrose. It is native to regions including Greece, Italy, and parts of North Africa, and has been introduced to areas like California and New Zealand. The plant typically has pink flowers measuring 4.5–5 cm in diameter and is variable in appearance. It is often cultivated for ornamental purposes and is sometimes referred to as 'Cistus incanus'.
Description
Cistus creticus, described by Linnaeus in 1762, is a member of the Cistaceae family. It is found in regions such as Greece, Italy, Albania, and North Africa, with additional populations in California and New Zealand. The species is noted for its variability and pink flowers. The name Cistus incanus, which appears in the protologue, has been considered a nomen confusum and informally rejected in favor of Cistus creticus. The plant is widely grown as an ornamental and is known for its shrubby growth habit and showy blooms.
Other common names
Cretan rockrosepink rockrosehoary rock-rosepink rock-rose
Distribution
British Columbia · FR · SE · DK · Albania · Algeria · Bulgaria · California · Corse · Cyprus · East Aegean Is. · Greece · Italy · Kriti · Lebanon-Syria · Libya · Morocco · New Zealand North · New Zealand South · Palestine · Sardegna · Sicilia · Tasmania · Turkey-in-Europe · Turkey · Yugoslavia
Synonyms
Cistus incanus subsp. creticusCistus ladaniferusCistus villosus var. creticusCistus vulgarisCistus incanus subsp. creticusCistus polymorphus f. creticusCistus vulgaris var. creticusCistus incanus var. creticusCistus polymorphus var. creticusCistus villosus subsp. creticus