Database: Gum Cistus

Cistus ladaniferus

One of the most ornamental hardy shrubs we possess; at once pleasing to the eye, and grateful to the smell; for, as Miller observes, the whole plant in warm weather exudes a sweet glutinous substance, which has a very strong balsamic scent, so as to perfume the circumambient air to a great distance.

Its blossoms, which appear in June and July in great profusion, exhibit a remarkable instance of quickly-fading beauty, opening and expanding to the morning sun, and before night strewing the ground with their elegant remains: as each succeeding day produces new blossoms, this deciduous disposition of the petals, common to the genus, is the less to be regretted.

- The Botanical Magazine, Volume 4