Provence-Beyond (Beyond the French Riviera) ®
A walk through the Flowers
[Flora Terms]
Photos:
Close-up of flower, leaves and buds (22 k)
Close-up of flower, with bee (15 k)
| Cistus salvifolius | family: Cistaceae (Rock-Rose) |
This 5-petaled white flower is 3 to 5 cm across, growing on a bushy, evergreen shrub. The petals aren't as crinkly as the Gum Cistus, and the plant has very little aroma. The flowers are borne on long stalks, either singly or in small groups.
Leaves. The leaves are distinctive from other white cistus: 4 cm long, pale to deep green, oval to elliptical, rough and hairy on both surfaces, and often undulate along the margins.
Habitat
Garrigue and maquis, rocky areas, stony dry hillsides, open pine forests.
