Shrubs to 10 dm. Leaves petiolate; petiole 2–10 mm; blade 1-veined from base, narrowly elliptic, oblong-ovate, or ovate, 10–40 × 6–20 mm. Inflorescences usually solitary flowers, rarely cymes; <pedicel 10–100 mm, longer in fruit>. Flowers: sepals 5; petals white, sometimes yellow near bases, 15–25 mm; styles 0–0.5 mm. Capsules 5-locular. 2n = 18 (Europe).

Flowering Apr–May. Disturbed sites, chaparral, coastal sage scrub, abandoned plantings; 60–1000 m; introduced; Calif.; Europe.

Cistus salviifolius is known from the southern Central Coast Ranges, southern South Coast Ranges, and the San Gabriel Mountains.