Ecophysiological Studies on Cistus Palhinhae Ingram and Cistus Ladanifer L. in Southern Alentejo

Abstract

Cistus palhinhae Ingram is an endemic plant from Portugal, with a non-consensual taxonomical position. Some authors consider it as a variety or sub-specie of C. ladanifer L.. Until now, the knowledge about C. palhinhae is limited, so we pretend to compare ecophysiologically and anatomically both species in the same area. The study was performed in 3 sampling sessions in Cape Sardão region, where the two species occur. Plant cover structure, water potential and leaf area index were assessed. According to our results, ecophysiological processes are different between the studied species, especially the ones associated with the xeric features: C. palhinhae possesses marked xeromorphic adaptations, differing from C. ladanifer a semi-deciduos sclerophyll shrub.