''Cistus creticus'' (pink rock-rose, hoary rock-rose) is a
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 ...
of shrubby
plant
Plants are predominantly photosynthetic eukaryotes of the kingdom Plantae. Historically, the plant kingdom encompassed all living things that were not animals, and included algae and fungi; however, all current definitions of Plantae exclu ...
in the
family
Family (from la, familia) is a group of people related either by consanguinity (by recognized birth) or affinity (by marriage or other relationship). The purpose of the family is to maintain the well-being of its members and of society. Idea ...
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 ...
. Though it usually has pink flowers, of 4.5–5 cm diameter, this species is very variable. It is widely known as a decorative plant. It is frequently called "''Cistus incanus''". (The true
''Cistus'' × ''incanus'' is the hybrid ''C. albidus'' × ''C. crispus''.
[)
]
Taxonomy
The name ''Cistus creticus'' was first used by Carl Linnaeus
Carl Linnaeus (; 23 May 1707 – 10 January 1778), also known after his Nobility#Ennoblement, ennoblement in 1761 as Carl von Linné#Blunt, Blunt (2004), p. 171. (), was a Swedish botanist, zoologist, taxonomist, and physician who formalise ...
in 1762.[ Confusion exists between this name and one published earlier by Linnaeus, '' Cistus incanus''. As used by many authors, but not Linnaeus, the name "''C. incanus''" is taken to refer to ''Cistus creticus'', particularly ''C. creticus'' subsp. ''eriocephalus''.][
]
Subtaxa
*''Cistus creticus'' subsp. ''creticus''
*''Cistus creticus'' subsp. ''corsicus'' (syn. ''Cistus'' × ''incanus'' subsp. ''corsicus'')
*''Cistus creticus'' subsp. ''eriocephalus''cultivar
A cultivar is a type of cultivated plant that people have selected for desired traits and when propagated retain those traits. Methods used to propagate cultivars include: division, root and stem cuttings, offsets, grafting, tissue culture ...
s, such as 'Lasithi' with compact, rounded flowers.
Phylogeny
''Cistus creticus'' belongs to the clade of species with purple and pink flowers (the "purple pink clade" or PPC), in a subclade with '' C. heterophyllus'' and '' C. albidus''.
References
External links
Malta Wild Plants
Jepson Manual Treatment
*
creticus
Flora of Lebanon
Plants described in 1762
Taxa named by Carl Linnaeus
Flora of Malta
Flora of Bulgaria
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