Ξισταρκά, Ασπροξισταρκά, Άσπρη λαδανιά, Λουβιδκιά, Κουνουκλιά, Κίστος ο φασκομηλόφυλλος
Etymology of Cistus salviifolius: The genus name "Cistus" derives from the Ancient Greek "κίστος" [kistos], which in turn comes from "κίσθος" [kisthos]. This is the ancient Greek name of this plant, of unknown etymology; the word is considered a loan from an older dialect or language. "Salviifolius" is Latin and it means "Salvia-like-leaves", because the leaves of the species resemble the ones of the genus Salvia.
There are at least 8 Cistus kinds in Cyprus including species, subspecies and hybrids.
Cistus salvifolius is an evergreen shrub growing up to 1m high. It is a very common plant of the Cypriot habitat. It appears in most regions of Cyprus excluding the Central and Central-Eastern parts. Cistus salviifolius can be seen on uncultivated calcareous ground, hillsides and waste places, up to an altitude of 1375 metres. Its flowering period is from February until May.
How to identify Cistus salviifolius:
Cistus salviifolius's flowers may look in a picture similar to the ones of Cistus monspeliensis, but the latter ones have a maximum diameter of 2.5 cm, which makes them significantly smaller than the ones of salviifolius.
Additionally, another difference between Cistus salviifolius with the other two species bearing white flowers are the leaves; the leaves of salviifolius are ovate or oblong, the leaves of the other two (Cistus monspeliensis and Cistus ladanifer) are linear-lanceolate or narrowly lanceolate.
