Cistus salviifolius

Mexican origanum, Sage-leaved Cistus, Sage-leafed rock rose

Cistaceae Edible: Leaves - tea, Seeds - seasoning 18,978 iNaturalist observations

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Summary

Cistus salviifolius, common names sage-leaved rock-rose, salvia cistus or Gallipoli rose, is a shrub of the family Cistaceae.

Description

A low shrub. It lies along the ground. It grows 75 cm high and spreads 75 cm wide. The leaves are wrinkled and rough. They are dark grey-green on the upper surface and whitish grey underneath. They are downy on both surfaces. The leaves are oval and have a wedge shaped base. They are 10-40 mm long. They have 3 veins. The flowers are usually borne singly. They have white petals. The flowers are 30-50 mm across.

Edible Uses

The dried leaves are used as an adulterant for marjoram (Origanum majorana).

Traditional Uses

The dried leaves are used as an adulterant of marjoram.

This uses section is brief — help expand it

Medicinal Uses

None known.

Distribution

It is a Mediterranean climate plant. It grows in rocky places and stony dry hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 7-10.

Where It Grows

Australia, Europe*, France, Greece, Italy, Mediterranean, Morocco, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye,

Cultivation

Requires a sunny position in a dry or moist well-drained light sandy soil. Withstands drought once it is established. Tolerates maritime exposure. Plants are hardy to about -12°c, but they require protection in severe winters. Plants are somewhat hardier when grown in poor soils. Individual flowers only last one day but there is a long succession of them. Dislikes pruning or root disturbance. Plants should be pot grown and then planted out in their final positions whilst still small. This species is notably resistant to honey fungus. The flowers are very attractive to bees. Hybridizes freely with other members of this genus. This species is closely related to C. hirsutus.

Propagation

Gather seed when ripe and store dry. Surface sow in late winter in a greenhouse; germination usually takes 1–4 weeks at 20°C. Prick out seedlings into individual pots as soon as they are large enough to handle. Overwinter in the greenhouse and plant out the following spring or early summer after the last expected frosts. Seed stores for at least 3 years. Softish to half-ripe cuttings, 8cm long with a heel or at a node, taken June–August in a frame; roots form within 3 weeks, with a high success rate. Near-mature wood cuttings, 8–12cm with a heel or at a node, taken September–October in a frame, also achieve a high percentage. Lift and pot in spring, planting out once a good root system has formed. Layering can also be done in spring.

Other Uses

A good ground cover plant for milder areas of Britain; the form 'Prostratus' is particularly recommended for this purpose.

Notes

There are about 20 Cistus species.

Also Known As

Irgual, Kartli

References (14)

Blamey, M and Grey-Wilson, C., 2005, Wild flowers of the Mediterranean. A & C Black London. p 141
Bodkin, F., 1991, Encyclopedia Botanica. Cornstalk publishing, p 260
Brouk, B., 1975, Plants Consumed by Man. Academic Press, London. p 312
Cundall, P., (ed.), 2004, Gardening Australia: flora: the gardener's bible. ABC Books. p 381
Ertug, F, Yenen Bitkiler. Resimli Türkiye Florası -I- Flora of Turkey - Ethnobotany supplement

Show all 14 references

Etherington, K., & Imwold, D., (Eds), 2001, Botanica's Trees & Shrubs. The illustrated A-Z of over 8500 trees and shrubs. Random House, Australia. p 213
Facciola, S., 1998, Cornucopia 2: a Source Book of Edible Plants. Kampong Publications, p 78
Ghanimi, R., et al, 2022, Ethnobotanical study on wild edible plants traditionally used by Messiwa people, Morocco. Journal of Ethnobiology and Ethnomedicine. 18:16
Hibbert, M., 2002, The Aussie Plant Finder 2002, Florilegium. p 67
INFOODSUpdatedFGU-list.xls
Lord, E.E., & Willis, J.H., 1999, Shrubs and Trees for Australian gardens. Lothian. p 216
Sfikas, G., 1984, Trees and shrubs of Greece. Efstathiadis Group. Athens. p 106
Smith, N., Mori, S.A., et al, 2004, Flowering Plants of the Neotropics. Princeton. p 104
Sp. pl. 1:524. 1753 "salvifolia"