Cistus laurifolius is an evergreen shrub with stiff, erect, open branches; it can grow 180 - 240cm tall.The plant has known medicinal properties, though we have yet to find information on any traditional uses. It is grown as an ornamental in gardens.
The genus is not very hardy outside the milder regions of the temperate zone, however this species is probably the hardiest member of the genus and has been known to tolerate winter temperatures dipping occasionally to around -30°c so long as the soil is fairly dry[
