Cistus umbellatus subsp. libani

Family |

Cistaceae

Demoly

(Nouvelle Flore du Liban et de la Syrie, vol. 2, p. 547; 1983, as Helianthemum syriacum Boiss.)

Life-form & habit: Perennial subshrub, 10–30 cm tall, woody at the base, ascending or erect, densely pubescent with stellate hairs.

Leaves: Opposite, linear-lanceolate, revolute on the margins, greyish-canescent on both faces; stipules small and persistent.

Inflorescence & flowers: Cymes of 1–3 white flowers borne on slender, spreading pedicels 1–2× the length of the calyx.

Sepals: Outer sepals very small; inner sepals ovate, pale green, hairy, strongly veined, accrescent and becoming inflated (vesiculate) in fruit.

Petals: White, 2–3× longer than the sepals.

Fruit: Capsule included within the inflated calyx.

Phenology: Flowers from April to May.

Habitat & elevation: Marly and sandy soils at low to mid elevations.

Lebanese distribution: Mi. Choueifat, ‘Abey, Baabda, Jamhour, Amyoun, Jabal Terbol, Beskinta.

Native range: Endemic to Lebanon