Cistus monspeliensis
Montpelier cistus
(c) Jean-Pol GRANDMONT, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · licence
Family: Cistaceae · Type: Shrub · Not Native
Cistus monspeliensis (Montpelier cistus) is a non-native California shrub in the Cistaceae family, recognized by flower size and leaf margins help distinguish from similar white-flowered species.
Montpelier cistus is a naturalized shrub found in coastal areas of California, including the Carmel Highlands and northern coastal regions, at elevations below 300 meters in disturbed places. Flowering from April to October, this plant produces white flowers 1 to 2 centimeters long with delicate, tissue-thin petals. Growing with stems less than 1 meter tall and covered in both glandular and nonglandular hairs, it forms a compact and slightly irregular shrub. Its leaves are distinctive, being sessile, linear to lance-linear, 15 to 60 millimeters long with wrinkled surfaces and three main veins emerging from the base. The plant's narrow, rolled-under leaf margins and white flowers make it a striking though uncommon presence in its coastal habitats.
Identification and appearance
Key characters: 3 sympatric species; flower size and leaf margins help distinguish from similar white-flowered species
Habitat and range
Habitat: Uncommon. Disturbed places
Elevation: < 300 m
Outside California: native to southern Europe, northern Africa
Bloom period
Cistus monspeliensis blooms Apr-Oct.
How to tell it apart
vs Rosa: Cistus petals have no notch and leaves lack stipules; Rosa petals are notched and have leafy stipules at leaf base.; vs Carpenteria: Cistus has 5-12 capsule segments when fruit opens; Carpenteria has 5-7 segments and pointed evergreen leaves.; vs Romneya: Cistus is a shrub with small opposite leaves; Romneya has large divided gray-green leaves and huge white flowers.; vs Salvia: Cistus has 5 separate rounded petals; Salvia has fused tubular flowers with upper and lower lips.; vs Oenothera: Cistus has opposite leaves and 5-12 capsule segments; Oenothera has alternate leaves and 4-celled capsules.
Frequently asked questions
Is Cistus monspeliensis native to California?
No. Cistus monspeliensis is not native to California (recorded as not native).
When does Cistus monspeliensis bloom?
Cistus monspeliensis blooms Apr-Oct.
What plant family does Cistus monspeliensis belong to?
Cistus monspeliensis is in the Cistaceae family, genus Cistus.
What habitat does Cistus monspeliensis grow in?
Cistus monspeliensis grows in Uncommon. Disturbed places.
Related species
Other California species in the same genus, family, or bioregion.
Sources: Jepson eFlora · CalPhotos
Last updated 2026-10-07
Data from The California Species Project — 14,000+ California species with verified data from CNPS, CDFW, USFWS, Cal-IPC, and more.