Cistus munbyi has narrow linear leaves with a single prominent vein, generally 6–30 mm (0.2–1.2 in) long by 1–4 mm (0.0–0.2 in) wide, with edges that are turned down (revolute). The upper surfaces of the leaves are smooth, the lower surfaces have a dense covering of short stellate hairs. It has white flowers.[2]C. munbyi resembles C. clusii, but the flower-bearing branches are longer and the flower stalks (peduncles) and sepals are covered with white hairs, making them appear silky ("sericeus").[3]
Taxonomy
Giles Munby gave a description of this species under the name Cistus sericeus in 1847.[3][4] The name had already been published by Martin Vahl in 1790, so that Munby's name is illegitimate.[5]Auguste Nicolas Pomel published the currently used name in 1874,[1] the specific epithet munbyi honouring Munbyi.
Species-level cladogram of Cistus species, based on plastid and nuclear DNA sequences.[6][8][2][7]
Distribution and habitat
Cistus munbyi is native to western north Africa, occurring at elevations of up to 100 metres (330 ft) along the Mediterranean coasts of Morocco and Algeria. It occurs in dry, sunny locations, generally in alkaline soils among bushy vegetation.[2] Munby's description was based on a specimen from the cliffs east of Oran.[3]
^ abcMunby, G. (1847), "C. sericeus", Flore de l'Algérie ou catalogue des plantes indigènes (in French and Latin), Alger & Montpellier: J.B. Baillière, retrieved 2015-03-21
^ abGuzmán, B. & Vargas, P. (2005), "Systematics, character evolution, and biogeography of Cistus L. (Cistaceae) based on ITS, trnL-trnF, and matK sequences", Molecular Phylogenetics and Evolution, 37 (3): 644–660, doi:10.1016/j.ympev.2005.04.026, PMID16055353, p. 646
^ abCiveyrel, Laure; Leclercq, Julie; Demoly, Jean-Pierre; Agnan, Yannick; Quèbre, Nicolas; Pélissier, Céline & Otto, Thierry (2011), "Molecular systematics, character evolution, and pollen morphology of Cistus and Halimium (Cistaceae)", Plant Systematics and Evolution, 295 (1–4): 23–54, doi:10.1007/s00606-011-0458-7, S2CID21995828
^Guzmán, B. & Vargas, P. (2009). "Historical biogeography and character evolution of Cistaceae (Malvales) based on analysis of plastid rbcL and trnL-trnF sequences". Organisms Diversity & Evolution. 9 (2): 83–99. doi:10.1016/j.ode.2009.01.001.