Cistus salviifolius

Sage-leaved rock rose                                                             Η Λαδανιά, Κουνουκλιά


Cistaceae - rock rose family                                                                                    Dicot.

 
 

The very beautiful Mediterranean rock rose, Cistus salviifolius, has found its way into gardens around the world but grows wild in Skopelos; together with the pink rock rose, Cistus creticus, it lines the edges of the pathway to faros, the lighthouse on the northern point of the island., Cape Gourouni.

The leaves are thickened, wrinkled, covered in short hairs and contain aromatic oils; all these are strategies to reduce water loss in the hot sun. The leaves become smaller in summer than in winter, a strategy known as seasonal dimorphism. The flowers have five sepals, two of which are larger and heart shaped. The flowers have pure white petals surrounding numerous yellow stamens, with abundant pollen and a central stigma; they emit delightful light fragrance.

Seeds of plants of the Cistus genus require special conditions to germinate; they remain dormant in soil  until they are subjected to fire. Following a forest fire, Cistus species often become the dominant over a large area, as can be seen on the land above Agnondas following the conflagration in 2008. The leaves of cistus contain aromatic oils which are resistant to flames, but the dead leaves and dry branches are highly inflammable.

3.5-5cm, 20-100cm,
20-80cm, ,
                    JAN FEB MAR APR MAY JUN JUL AUG SEP OCT NOV DEC
 
Cistus creticus
Pink cistus../../Pink/Pages/Cistus_creticus.html
Clematis cirrhosa
Evergreen virgin's bowerClematis_cirrhosa.html
Cistus monspeliensis 
Cistus