Cistus osbeckiifolius

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

Cistus osbeckiifolius
Scientific classification
Kingdom:	Plantae
Clade:	Tracheophytes
Clade:	Angiosperms
Clade:	Eudicots
Clade:	Rosids
Order:	Malvales
Family:	Cistaceae
Genus:	Cistus
Species:	C. osbeckiifolius
Binomial name
Cistus osbeckiifolius Webb[1]

Description

Cistus osbeckiifolius is a shrub usually up to 1.2 m (4 ft) tall, although it may reach 1.55 m (5 ft). Its three-nerved leaves are narrow, lanceolate to elliptical in shape, and slightly pointed at the apex.^[2] They are densely covered with simple hairs.^[3] The flowers are about 5 cm (2.0 in) across, with pink to purple petals.^[2] The stigma is longer than the stamens.^[3] The fruiting capsules are brown and covered with hairs.^[2]

Taxonomy and phylogeny

Cistus osbeckiifolius was formally named in 1887^[1] (the epithet was originally spelt osbeckiaefolius).^[4] 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 (he died in 1854).^[5] In 1887, Heinrich Christ published Webb's description, along with those of other plants in Webb's herbarium.^[4] The epithet osbeckiifolius means "with leaves like Osbeckia".

A subspecies, C. osbeckiifolius subsp. tomentosus Bañares & Demoly, has been recognized (hence creating the nominate subspecies, C. osbeckiifolius subsp. osbeckiifolius), although as of March 2015^[update] The Plant List does not accept this taxon.^[1]

A 2011 molecular phylogenetic study placed C. osbeckiifolius as a member of the purple and pink flowered clade (PPC) of Cistus species, along with other Canary Island endemics.^[6]

Species-level cladogram of Cistus species.

Halimium spp.           Halimium spp.   PPC           Cistus crispus                 Cistus heterophyllus           Cistus albidus     Cistus creticus           Cistus asper     Cistus chinamadensis     Cistus horrens     Cistus ocreatus     Cistus osbeckiifolius     Cistus palmensis     Cistus symphytifolius     WWPC                 Cistus clusii     Cistus munbyi           Cistus inflatus     Cistus ladanifer     Cistus laurifolius     Cistus libanotis     Cistus monspeliensis     Cistus parviflorus     Cistus populifolius     Cistus pouzolzii     Cistus salviifolius     Cistus sintenisii     Purple   Pink   Clade   White   Whitish Pink   Clade

Species-level cladogram of Cistus species, based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences.[6][7][8][9]

Distribution and habitat

Cistus osbeckiifolius is endemic to Tenerife in the Canary Islands. It is found at elevations of 1,400–2,400 m (4,600–7,900 ft) around Mount Teide, particularly in the region known as Las Cañadas. The climate is relatively dry and temperate to cold.^[3][2]

Conservation

Cistus osbeckiifolius (as the subspecies osbeckiifolius) has been rated as "endangered" (EN) in the Spanish "Red List" (Libro Rojo de la Flora Vascular Amenazada de España). 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.^[2]