Common Name: Labdanum

General Information

Cistus ladanifer is an evergreen shrub of erect, thin habit; it can grow 90 - 150cm tall. The branches are very clammy with a shining resin, especially in hot weather[].
The plant is harvested from the wild for local use as a food and a medicine, and also on a commercial basis for its fragrant gum. It is sometimes cultivated for this gum and is also often grown as an ornamental[].

Known Hazards

None known

Botanical References

, ,

Range

Western Mediterranean - Portugal, Spain, France, Morocco, Algeria

Habitat

Pine woods, copses and on dry usually granitic hills[, ].

Properties

Edibility Rating
Medicinal Rating
Other Uses Rating
Habit	Evergreen Shrub
Height	1.00 m
Growth Rate	Fast
Pollinators	Bees
Self-fertile	Yes
Cultivation Status	Cultivated, Ornamental, Wild

Cultivation Details

Cistus ladanifer is native to the Mediterranean region, with its hot, dry summers and cool, moist winters. It is not very hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone, though this is one of the hardiest species in the genus and can tolerate winter temperatures dipping occasionally to between -10 and -20°c so long as the soil is fairly dry[, ]. A covering of bracken or leafy branches in severe weather is a help, and will often save plants that would otherwise perish[]. Plants are also somewhat hardier when grown in poor soils[].
Cistus species generally grow best in a sunny position in a well-drained light sandy soil[, ]. Established plants are very drought tolerant[, ]. This species grows well in poor soils[], and is fairly wind resistant, tolerating maritime exposure[].
This species is sometimes cultivated for its fragrant gum, especially in Corsica and experimentally in California[]. This is known as 'Ladanum' (or labdanum), and is used in perfumery and medicinally. The gum can be exuded in such quantity in hot weather that the plant becomes very sticky[, ]. The leaves have glandular hairs which produce an aromatic gum. The sweet balsamic smell is most apparent in the summer in the early morning[].
A very ornamental plant, it is very free-flowering and fast growing[]. There are a number of named forms developed for their ornamental value[].
Plants are apt to be short-lived[].
Individual flowers only last one day but there is a long succession of them[].
The flowers are very attractive to bees[].
This is an excellent nurse plant for sheltering young seedlings[].
Labdanum dislikes pruning, especially as it gets older, and so any formative work should be restricted to removing dead, straggly or damaged growths[].
Plants are resentful of root disturbance[, ]. They should be pot grown and then planted out in their final positions whilst still small[].
Plants in this genus are notably resistant to honey fungus[].
In cultivation, Cistus species will often hybridize freely with other members of the genus[].
Cistus species form ectomychorrizal roots, developing symbiotic relationships with various mychorrizal fungal species, mainly belonging to the genus Lactarius[]. This relationship aids the plants in water and nutrient uptake often helping the host plant to survive adverse conditions whilst, in exchange, the fungal symbiont is provided with access to carbohydrates.

Edible Uses

Seed - ground into a powder and used with cereal flours in making cakes and breads[, ].

An oleo-resin obtained from the leaves and stems is eaten raw or used as a commercial food flavouring in baked goods, ice cream, chewing gum etc[, , , , ].

The plant is said to yield a sweet manna[].This report is probably referring to the oleo-resin mentioned above[].

Medicinal

Labdanum is an aromatic, expectorant, stimulant herb that controls bleeding and has antibiotic effects[, ]. It is used internally in the treatment of catarrh and diarrhoea[] and as an emmenagogue[].
The leaves are harvested in late spring and early summer and can be dried for later use, or the resin extracted from them[].

Research has shown that Cistus species contain a wealth of medicinally active compounds such as terpenoids (including diterpenes, labdane-type diterpenes and clerodanes); phenylpropanoids (including flavonoids and ellagitannins); several groups of alkaloids; and other types of secondary metabolites[].
Considerable research has been carried out into the properties of these compounds - the following are some that apply to this species
Cistus ladanifer aqueous extracts had antibacterial activity against Escherichia coli[].
Phenolic compounds present in extracts from Cistus ladanifer aerial tissues have been shown to have antifungal activity against Candida species in a dose-dependent manner[].
A strong antimicrobial activity against gram-positive bacteria has been demonstrated for this plant[].
Extracts of the plant have been shown to inhibit the replication of the vesicular stomatitis virus (VSV)[]
A significant, dose-dependent spasmolytic and analgesic effects has been demonstrated for aqueous extracts of this plant[].
Preparations of Cistus ladanifer aqueous extracts were able to generate strong antioxidant activities in a dose-dependent manner, using several free radical scavenging methods[].
The resin, ladanum, secreted by the glandular trichomes of this species, contains a number of phytochemicals with antioxidant, antibacterial, antifungal, and anticancer properties[].

Other Uses

The glandular hairs on the leaves yield the oleo-resin 'ladanum', used medicinally and in soaps, perfumery, fumigation etc, and as an incense[, , , , , , , ]. This resin is an acceptable substitute for ambergris (which is obtained from the sperm whale) and so is important in perfume manufacture[]. The resin is collected by dragging a type of rake through the plant, the resin adhering to the teeth of the rake, or by boiling the twigs and skimming off the resin[, ]. Most resin is produced at the hottest time of the year[].

The fragrant gum is used as an ingredient in various cosmetic preparations for perfumery, skin conditioners, humectants, astringents, emollients etc[].

Propagation

Seed - gather when ripe and store dry[]. Surface sow in late winter in a greenhouse[]. The seed usually germinates in 1 - 4 weeks at 20°c[]. Seeds in the wild are more likely to germinate following a forest fire[], so it could be worth giving the seedlings heat treatment by placing a small amount of fast-burning flammable material on top of them and then allowing it to burn for perhaps 20 - 30 seconds[]. Prick out the seedlings as soon as they are large enough to handle into individual pots. Grow them on in the greenhouse for their first winter and plant them out the in the following spring or early summer, after the last expected frosts[]. The seed stores for at least 3 years[].
Cuttings of softish to half-ripe wood, 8cm long with a heel or at a node, early to late summer in a frame. Roots are formed within 3 weeks[]. High percentage[].
Cuttings of almost mature wood, 8 - 12cm with a heel or at a node, early to mid autumn in a frame. High percentage[]. Lift and pot up in the spring, plant out when a good root system has formed[].
Layering in spring.