Laudanum
The Laudanum (Cistus ladanifer L.) is an important element in the existing brushwoods of ecosystems characterized by a Mediterranean climate, especially in non calcareous soils where it often becomes the dominating species.
It is a rapidly growing perennial plant. Usually upright bearing up to 2,5m tall although most of the times it does not exceed 2m in height.
Long, narrow foliage that may reach 10cm in length and 1,5cm width. The younger plants are strongly impregnated with a bright and resinous substance that sticks to the hands and clothes.
It has large solitary 10 cm wide flower. With 3 sepals and 5 white petals, it sometimes has a purple blotch at the base of each petal. Each flower last only one single day in a long succession of flowers.
The fruit is a globose capsule with 7-10 compartments. The plant can be found in the whole western Mediterranean region and on the Canary Islands. It is quite abundant in Alentejo and Algarve and in the Spanish regions of Extremadura, Serra Morena, Andalusia and Castela.
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