Rockroses

Cistus (from the Greek kistos) is a genus of flowering plants in the rockrose family Cistaceae, containing about 34 species and a similar number of natural hybrids. They are perennial shrubs found on dry or rocky soils throughout the Mediterranean region, from Morocco, Spain, Italy, Greece, through to the Middle East, and also on the Canary Islands.

Cistus, with its many hybrids and cultivars, is commonly encountered as a garden flower.

The common name rock-rose or rockrose is applied to the species, a name also shared by the related genera Helianthemum and Tuberaria, all in the same family Cistaceae. The common name gum cistus is also applied to resin-bearing species, especially C. ladanifer.