Cistus umbellatus L.

An evergreen bush of erect, open habit about 18 in. high, with the general aspect of a small rosemary; young branches viscid and downy. Leaves linear, viscid when young; stalkless, 1⁄2 to 11⁄4 in. long, 1⁄12- to 1⁄8 in. wide; dark glossy green above, white with down beneath. Racemes erect, 4 to 6 in. high, with the flowers arranged at intervals in whorls, and terminating in a six- or eight-flowered umbel at the top. Flowers white, 3⁄4 in. across, the petals inversely heart-shaped, with a yellow stain near the base. Sepals three, ovate, more or less hairy. Bot. Mag., t. 9141.

Native of the Mediterranean region; introduced in 1731. This is a distinct and very pretty shrub.

C. umbellatus is a somewhat variable species but cannot be subdivided into clear-cut categories. The inflorescence may consist of several whorls as in the plant described above, or of a single terminal cyme which is sometimes accompanied by two opposite flowers or reduced cymes in the upper leaf-axils. There is also variation in habit from spreading to erect, and in the degree of viscidness of the stems and leaves.

A halimium found in Syria and Palestine, named Halimium syriacum by Boissier, is of procumbent habit with tortuous whitish or greyish branches marked by black, densely set, annular leaf scars. This belongs to C. umbellatus and is scarcely worthy of recognition even as a variety. Similar plants occur in France.