(Garden Origin) Parents: Southwest Europe
A cross between Cistus albidus and Cistus crispus.
"Drought stress resistance is prevalent in plants growing in Mediterranean regions and encompasses physiological mechanisms that extend the period of active growth by controlling water loss and turgor, and that enable cells to sustain water loss without damage to their metabolic systems. Acclimation and adaptation of plants to drought have been extensively studied, and several mechanisms enabling plants to withstand drought have been described. The mechanisms that Cistus clusii Dunal and Cistus albidus L. have evolved to withstand stress are of special interest because these shrubs are native to the Mediterranean climate, and grow in extreme climatic conditions." [1]
"Species of Cistus have been in cultivation for centuries in renowned collections, due to their spectacular blooming and wide variation of hybrid forms that are grown successfully. Linnaeus based many of his descriptions on cultivated material from European botanic gardens, the origin of which was usually uncertain, and their morphology being sometimes anomalous due to cultivation or in situ hybridization processes. Furthermore, many type localities mentioned in the protologues came from pre-Linnaean literature and they are sometimes imprecise or incorrect." [3]
"Numerous chemical studies have been conducted on Cistus species, particularly their essential oils. They produce a number of compounds which are used in the fragrance industry, and the essential oils of some species have cytotoxic and antibacterial properties." [2]
[1] Munné-Bosch, S., Jubany-Marí, T., & Alegre, L. (2003). Enhanced photo-and antioxidative protection, and hydrogen peroxide accumulation in drought-stressed Cistus clusii and Cistus albidus plants. Tree Physiology, 23(1), 1-12.
[2] Robles, C., & Garzino, S. (1998). Essential oil composition of Cistus albidus leaves. Phytochemistry, 48(8), 1341-1345.
[3] Ferrer-Gallego, P. P., Laguna, E., & Crespo, M. B. (2013). Typification of six Linnaean names in Cistus L.(Cistaceae). Taxon, 62(5), 1046-1049.
