CHAP. XI. 



CISTA^CE^. C'l'STUS. 



327 



Spec. Char., Sfc. Leaves stalked, cordate, acuminate, wrinkled, smooth. Flowers 

 cymose. Peduncles brateate. Bracteas oblong. Sepals acuminate, clammy. 

 {Don's Mill, i. p. 300.) A shrub of vigorous growth, attaining the height 

 of from 3 ft. to 5 ft. in British gardens, into which it was introduced in 1656. 

 It has large dark green cordate leaves, with undulate margins, and white 

 flowers, with distinct petals, which it produces from May to July. It is one^ 

 of the most robust of the species, and is found wild both in the south of 

 France and in Spain and Portugal. It is of the easiest culture, but requu-es 

 a little protection in very severe winters. Plants were in the Hammersmith 

 Nursery in 1826. 



tt. 32, C. LATiFO^Lius Siut. The broad-leaved Cistus, or Rock Rose. 



Identification. Swt. Cist., 15. ; Don's Mill., i. p. 300. 



Synonymes. Ci'stus populifblius var. a, miyor I)ec. Prod., 1. p. 265. 



Engraving. Swt. Cist., t. 16. 



Spec. Char., ^c. Leaves stalked, broadly cordate, acute ; with curled, waved, denticulated, ciliated 

 margins. Peduncles bracteate, somewhat cymose, pilose. Sepals broad, cordate, villous. Petals 

 imbricated. {Doll's Mill, i. p. .300.) A shrub from Barbary, with white flowers from May to 



[ .Tuly, growing to the height of 3 ft. or 4ft., cultivated in British gardens since 1656. It has broadly 

 cordate leaves, with reflexed points, and imbricate, obcordate petals. It is a most ornainental plant, 



\ robust in its growth, but rather tender. Plants of it were in the Hammersmith Nursery in 1826. 

 We have no doubt that this and the two preceding sorts are nothing more than varieties of the 

 same race. 



B, Peduncles bracteate with caducous decussate Bracteas, loiver o?ies smaller ; 

 \-JloiDered, axillary and solitary, or terminal and umbellate. Calyx of 3 Sepals. 

 Capsules 5 — 10-cclled 



a. Stigma large, sessile. 

 * 33. C. Laurifo'lius Lin. The Laurel-leaved Cistus, or Rock Rose. 



Identification. Lin. Sp., 736. ; Swt. Cist, t. 52. ; Clus. Hist., 1. p. 78. f. 1. ; Don's Mill., 1. p. 300. 

 Synonymes. Ciste a Feuilles de Laurier, Fr. ; Lorbeer-blattrige Cisten Rose, Ger. 

 Engravings. Swt. Cist., t. 52. ; Clus. Hist, 1. p. 78. f. 1. 



S2)ec. Char.,Sfc. Leaves stalked, ovate-lanceolate, 3-nerved, upper surface 

 glabrous, under surface tomentose. Footstalks dilated, and connate at the 

 base. Capsules 5-celled. {Don's Mill., i. p. 300.) A shrub growing in 

 British gardens to the height of 4 ft. or 5 ft., and producing large white 

 flowers in July or August. It is a native of the south of France and Spain, 

 and was introduced into England in 1771. It is a robust bush, with large 

 green laurel-like leaves : it produces an abundance of flowers, which, with their 

 light red bracteas, are very ornamental before they expand, resembling, at 

 a distance, the bursting buds of roses. It requires no protection, and may 

 be raised from seeds, which it ripens in abundance, and also by cuttings, 

 which, however, do not strike so freely as in some of the other species. 



e 34,. C. cy'prius Lam. The Gum Cistus, or Cyprus Rock Rose. 

 Identification. Lam. Diet, 2. p. 16.; Don's Mill., I. p. .300. 



Synonymes. C. ladani'ferus Bot. Mag., t. 112. ; Cistus stenophS^lIus Link. Enam., 2. p. 74. ? ; C. salici- 



fblius of some. 

 Engraving. Swt. Cist, t 39. 



Spec. Char., ^c. Leaves stalked, oblong-lanceolate, upper surface glabrous, 

 under surface clothed with hoary tomentum. Peduncles generally many- 

 flowered. Petals spotted. Capsules 5-celled. {Don's Mill., i. p. 300.) A 

 splendid shrub, growing in British gardens to the height of 5 ft. or 6 ft. ; 

 introduced from the Island of Cj'prus in 1800. Its flowers are large, 2^ in. 

 or 3 in. across ; white, imbricated, each petal having a dark, rich, brownish 

 crimson spot at the base. It is one of the handsomest species of the genus, 

 and one more generally in demand than any other. In the nurseries, it is 

 generally found under the name of C. ladanlferus, or that of C. salicifolius. 

 Young plants require protection; but when they get to the height of 3 ft. 

 or 4 ft. they are tolerably hardy. Young cuttings. Sweet observes, planted 

 under hand-glasses in autumn, will strike root; but the best way is to raise 

 them from layers or from seed. There is a plant of this species at Minard, 

 in Aj-gyllshire, 7 ft. 9 in. high, with a head 12 ft. in diameter, which is clothed 



