Cistus ladanifer - Gum cistus - (Cistaceae)

These shrubs are very familiar to us from British gardens, but to see them at their best the Iberian Peninsular is the place to go.

Cistus ladanifer

From the maquis (areas with shrubs up to 5 metres in height) and well into the hills of Portugal and the Iberian Peninsula in general Gum cistus flourishes. The flowers have rather crumpled-looking petals, some pure white and others with dark maroon spots and appear from April to June. The sticky, oderous substance which comes from the tough, dark green leaves of the plant is used in the perfume industry.

Gum cistus is a member of the Rockrose family (Cistaceae) and is native to Spain, Portugal, southern France and North West Africa. In other places - Cyprus for example - this plant has been introduced and is now naturalised.

Some other species of cistus to appear in the Mediterranean region include Cistus Albidus (Grey-leaved Cistus) and Cistus salvifolius (Sage-leaved Cistus). Many of the bushes are parisitised by Cytinus hypocistis, and the best time to see this fascinating plant (growing around the roots of the cistus bushes) is from mid-April until June.

The specimen shown here was photographed in the Algarve in Portugal in March.