Cistus albidus
Rock Rose
a perennial woody evergreen member of the Cistus genus in the family Cistaceae.
Taxonomy and growth
Uses
Edible uses
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
The leaves are used as a tea substitute[4][6]. The dried leaves are sometimes used as an adulterant for marjoram (Origanum majorana)[6].
- Product or use
- Condiment
- Product or use
- Tea
Environment
- Range
- S.W. Europe to N. Africa - Mediterranean.
- Habitat
- Garigue, rocky places on limestone soils and open pine forest[12].
- Light
- full sun
- Shade tolerance
- no shade
- Water
- moderate
- Hardiness
- Zone 7+
- Soil textures
- sandy, loamy
- Soil pH
- acid, neutral, alkaline, very alkaline
- Drainage
- well drained
- Tolerances
- high wind, maritime exposure, drought
- Wind
- Yes
- Maritime
- Yes
- Tolerates Nutritionally Poor Soil
- No
- Drought
- tolerant
Propagation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Seed - gather when ripe and store dry[11]. Surface sow in late winter in a greenhouse[3]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 20°c[3]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out the in the following spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[3]. The seed stores for at least 3 years[K]. Cuttings of softish to half-ripe wood, 8cm long with a heel or at a node, June/August in a frame. Roots are formed within 3 weeks[11]. High percentage[11]. Cuttings of almost mature wood, 8 - 12cm with a heel or at a node, September/October in a frame. High percentage[11]. Lift and pot up in the spring, plant out when a good root system has formed[11]. Layering in spring.
Cultivation
This section contains historical Plants For A Future notes marked noncommercial.
Requires a sunny position in a well-drained light sandy soil[1][5]. Prefers a calcareous soil[9]. Withstands drought once it is established[9]. Tolerates maritime exposure[8]. One of the hardiest species in this genus, tolerating temperatures down to about -15°c[7] and surviving all but the coldest winters in Britain[2], it is however apt to be short-lived[5]. Plants are somewhat hardier when grown in poor soils[5]. Individual flowers only last one day but there is a long succession of them[10]. Dislikes pruning or root disturbance[5][10]. Plants should be pot grown and then planted out in their final positions whilst still small. Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[10]. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus[10].
References
F. Chittendon. RHS Dictionary of Plants plus Supplement. 1956 Oxford University Press 1951-00-00
Bean. W. Trees and Shrubs Hardy in Great Britain. Vol 1 - 4 and Supplement. Murray 1981-00-00
Bird. R. (Editor) Growing from Seed. Volume 4. Thompson and Morgan. 1990-00-00
Kunkel. G. Plants for Human Consumption. Koeltz Scientific Books 1984-00-00 ISBN 3874292169
Thomas. G. S. Ornamental Shrubs, Climbers and Bamboos. Murray 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-7195-5043-2
Facciola. S. Cornucopia - A Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-9628087-0-9
Phillips. R. & Rix. M. Shrubs. Pan Books 1989-00-00 ISBN 0-330-30258-2
Brickell. C. The RHS Gardener's Encyclopedia of Plants and Flowers Dorling Kindersley Publishers Ltd. 1990-00-00 ISBN 0-86318-386-7
Chatto. B. The Dry Garden. Dent 1982-00-00 ISBN 0460045512
Huxley. A. The New RHS Dictionary of Gardening. 1992. MacMillan Press 1992-00-00 ISBN 0-333-47494-5
Sheat. W. G. Propagation of Trees, Shrubs and Conifers. MacMillan and Co 1948-00-00
Polunin. O. and Huxley. A. Flowers of the Mediterranean. Hogarth Press 1987-00-00 ISBN 0-7012-0784-1