Roselha-grande

Appearance

"Cistus albidus" grows up to 1 m tall. Its leaves are oblong to elliptical in shape, usually 2–5 cm long by 0.5–2 cm wide. They have three prominent veins and are densely covered with short hairs, producing a greyish-white appearance. The flowers are arranged in cymes of one to seven individual flowers, each 4–6 cm across with five purple to pink petals and five sepals.

Naming

Grey-leaved cistus, Rosêlha, Rosêlha-grande or Rosêlha-maior

Cístus m. from the greek "kísthos", "kisthós", "kístos" m.;
Latin cisthos, m. = several species from the genre Cistus L.

Some authors tend to relate it according to the shape of their fruits with the greek word "kístē" f. which literally means box (small box), basket.

Distribution

"Cistus albidus" is native to the west of Southern Europe and western North Africa, particularly around the Mediterranean, including Portugal, Spain, the Balearic Islands, France, Corsica, Italy, Sardinia, and Morocco.

Status

Not protected by Portuguese law or the European Community.

Habitat

Thickets that correspond to step down from the oak and other Mediterranean forests, near the sea, or dry climate regions, little cold in winter and very hot in summer; the chalky soil well tolerated; 0-1400 m. (I) II-VI (VII).

Reproduction

Plant highly variable, which have differentiated and described many taxa; among them can stand the var. O. & Bolòs Anthyllidetorum Vigo in Butll. Inst. Catalana Hist. Nat. 38: 79 (1974), typical of the Balearic thorny bushes (N de Mallorca and Ibiza), characterized by its smaller size and smaller petals (15-20 mm).

In the province of Orense (Spain) we know the vague quote from J. Planellas -cf. Fl trial Galician: 99 (1852) -, which is not indicated in the list, not having been supported further..

Predators

Cistus are the only host of Cytinus hypocistis, a small parasitic plant that lives on the roots and is noticeable only for a short period of time when in flower. The presence of the parasite does not seem to harm the host population.

Uses

In popular medicine, infusions of cistuses are used to treat diarrhea [citation needed], Cistus Incanus specifically, is traditionally used for cold, flu, respiratory tract infections, etc.

Cistus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Coleophora confluella and Coleophora helianthemella, the latter recorded on Cistus monspeliensis.