Pink Corsican rockrose

Cistus from Crete or Cistus from Corsica

A plant native to the Mediterranean region, cistus is a shrub that predominates in the Corsican scrubland. It can be found in several species, the pink-flowered one known as cistus creticus, also known as cistus corsicus. It should not be confused with cistus de Montpellier, which has white flowers and a different stem.

Muchju rossu

In Corsican, its pinkish-purple color has earned it the name u muchju rossu, or red rockrose.

Cistus characteristics and flowering

Cistus de Crete is a shrub that grows to less than a meter in height and takes the form of an irregular ball.

Its violet flowers appear from late April to early May on the coast, and until June in the mountains. The stamens and pistil give the flower its orangey-yellow heart, and are surrounded by 5 petals whose natural appearance gives them a crumpled look.

The stems are brown and hairy, with a cyme-shaped inflorescence. The leaves are lighter green and more slender than those of Montpellier rockrose.

After being pollinated, the flower will dry out and retract into a capsule, which will then fall and give birth to a new plant.

Soil and geographical distribution

Cistus is found at low and medium altitudes in both Haute-Corse and Corse du Sud. The shrub grows easily on arid soils and plays a role in maintaining the soil.