Cistus osbeckiifolius

Cistus osbeckiifolius is a shrubby species of flowering plant in the family Cistaceae, with pink to purple flowers.

Description

Cistus osbeckiifolius is a shrub 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 petals. The stigma is longer than the stamens. The fruiting capsules are brown and covered with hairs.

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Cistus osbeckiifolius was formally named in 1887. 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. 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".
A subspecies, C. osbeckiifolius subsp. tomentosus Bañares & Demoly, has been recognized, although as of 2015 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 of Cistus species, along with other Canary Island endemics.

Distribution and habitat

Cistus osbeckiifolius is endemic to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is found at elevations of around Mount Teide, particularly in the region known as Las Cañadas. The climate is relatively dry and temperate to cold.

Conservation

Cistus osbeckiifolius has been rated as "endangered" in the Spanish "Red List". 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.