Sage-leaved Rock Rose
Cistus salviifolius L.
The sage-leaved rock rose is one of three rockroses found on Elba. It grows in garrigue scrubland and on the edge of woods, in sunny locations. The shrub grows to a height of 30-60 cm and has oval leaves resembling those of sage. The white flowers are quite large (3-5 cm in diameter) and grow on long peduncles. The fruits are hairy capsules containing numerous seeds and remain on the plant even after they have opened. Like other rockroses, it tolerates long periods of drought. It is strictly Mediterranean in the sense that its range is limited to the Mediterranean coast. After fires, seed germination is 10 times higher because the fire damages the hard woody coat that protects the seeds, which is why the plant colonises the land after fires. On the Island, it was once known as “mucchiastrello”.
🌿 Botanical Information
