Cistus creticus
Cistus creticus is a species of shrubby plant in the family Cistaceae. Though it usually has pink flowers, of diameter, this species is very variable. It is widely known as a decorative plant. It is frequently called "Cistus incanus".
It is native to the central and eastern Mediterranean Basin, including Morocco, Corsica and Sardinia, Italy and southeastern Europe, Turkey, and the Levant.
Taxonomy
The name Cistus creticus was first used by Carl Linnaeus 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.Subspecies
Two subspecies are accepted.- Cistus creticus subsp. creticus – central and eastern Mediterranean Basin
- Cistus creticus subsp. trabutii – Morocco