Common Gum Cistus, Spanish manna
Cistus ladanifer
Family: Cistaceae
What it is like
A shrub. It grows 1.5-1.8 m high and spreads 1.2-1.5 m wide. The leaves are narrow and green. They are slightly sticky and have a smell. The leaves are narrow and sword shaped and 40-80 mm long. They are deep green above and have 3 veins in the lower half. They are paler and have white hairs underneath. The flowers are large and white. They are 70-100 mm across. They often have chocolate coloured blotches around a yellow centre. It has been used to breed other varieties. The fruit has 10 valves.
There are about 20 Cistus species.
Where it is found
It is a warm temperate plant. It can withstand light frosts. It grows on dry hillsides. It suits hardiness zones 8-10. Adelaide Botanical Gardens.
Countries/locations it is found in
Africa, Algeria, Australia, Europe, France, Greece, Mediterranean, Morocco, North Africa, Portugal, Spain, Turkey, Türkiye
How it is used for food
The gum is eaten. It is also used to flavour baked goods, soft drinks, ice cream and candy. The seeds are ground into flour and used for bread or cakes. It also yields a sweet manna. The flowers are chewed.
It is cultivated.
Edible parts
Gum, manna, seeds, flowers, sap
How it is grown
Plants can be grown from seed or from cuttings.
Its other names
Local names
Gum Cistus, Gum rock-rose, Jara, Labdanum, Laudanum