''Cistus osbeckiifolius'' is a

shrub A shrub (often also called a bush) is a small-to-medium-sized perennial woody plant. Unlike herbaceous plants, shrubs have persistent woody stems above the ground. Shrubs can be either deciduous or evergreen. They are distinguished from trees ...

species In biology, a species is the basic unit of classification and a taxonomic rank of an organism, as well as a unit of biodiversity. A species is often defined as the largest group of organisms in which any two individuals of the appropriate s ...

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (), commonly called angiosperms. The term "angiosperm" is derived from the Greek words ('container, vessel') and ('seed'), and refers to those plants th ...

in the family

Cistaceae The Cistaceae are a small family of plants (rock-rose or rock rose family) known for their beautiful shrubs, which are profusely covered by flowers at the time of blossom. This family consists of about 170(-200) species in nine genera that are ...

, with pink to purple flowers.

Description

''Cistus osbeckiifolius'' is a

usually up to tall, although it may reach . Its three-nerved leaves are narrow, lanceolate to elliptical in shape, and slightly pointed at the apex. They are densely covered with simple hairs. The flowers are about across, with pink to purple

petal Petals are modified Leaf, leaves that surround the reproductive parts of flowers. They are often advertising coloration, brightly colored or unusually shaped to attract pollinators. All of the petals of a flower are collectively known as the ''c ...

s. The stigma is longer than the

stamen The stamen (plural ''stamina'' or ''stamens'') is the pollen-producing reproductive organ of a flower. Collectively the stamens form the androecium., p. 10 Morphology and terminology A stamen typically consists of a stalk called the filame ...

s. The fruiting capsules are brown and covered with hairs.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

''Cistus osbeckiifolius'' was formally named in 1887 (the epithet was originally spelt ''osbeckiaefolius''). Philip Webb collected in the Canary Islands in 1828–1830. Although he gave this species a name and wrote a description, it was not published in his lifetime (he died in 1854). In 1887, Heinrich Christ published Webb's description, along with those of other plants in Webb's herbarium. The epithet ''osbeckiifolius'' means "with leaves like ''

Osbeckia ''Osbeckia'' is a genus of plants in the family Melastomataceae. It was named by Carl Linnaeus for the Swedish explorer and naturalist Pehr Osbeck (1723–1805). Distribution Osbeckias are native to Eastern Asia — China, Japan, Malaysia, In ...

''". A subspecies, ''C. osbeckiifolius'' subsp. ''tomentosus'' Bañares & Demoly, has been recognized (hence creating the nominate subspecies, ''C. osbeckiifolius'' subsp. ''osbeckiifolius''), although The Plant List does not accept this taxon. A 2011 molecular phylogenetic study placed ''C. osbeckiifolius'' as a member of the purple and pink flowered clade (PPC) of ''Cistus'' species, along with other Canary Island endemics.

Distribution and habitat

''Cistus osbeckiifolius'' is endemic to

Tenerife Tenerife (; ; formerly spelled ''Teneriffe'') is the largest and most populous island of the Canary Islands. It is home to 43% of the total population of the archipelago. With a land area of and a population of 978,100 inhabitants as of Janu ...

in the Canary Islands. It is found at elevations of around

Mount Teide Teide, or Mount Teide, ( es, El Teide, Pico del Teide, , "Peak of Teide") is a volcano on Tenerife in the Canary Islands, Spain. Its summit (at ) is the highest point in Spain and the highest point above sea level in the islands of the Atlan ...

, particularly in the region known as Las Cañadas. The climate is relatively dry and temperate to cold.

Conservation

''Cistus osbeckiifolius'' (as the subspecies ''osbeckiifolius'') has been rated as "

endangered An endangered species is a species that is very likely to become extinct in the near future, either worldwide or in a particular political jurisdiction. Endangered species may be at risk due to factors such as habitat loss, poaching and inva ...

" (EN) in the Spanish " Red List" (''Libro Rojo de la Flora Vascular Amenazada de España''). The species is considered at risk for several reasons: a limited area of distribution, restricted genetic diversity in all but one subpopulation, grazing by rabbits, the effects of fire, and human disturbance. In 2007 a fire destroyed one complete subpopulation.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5770417 osbeckiifolius Plants described in 1887 Flora of the Canary Islands