The rock rose of Montpellier is a species with a strictly Mediterranean-Macaronesian distribution present in Liguria and in all the regions of Central and Southern Italy, except in the Marche and Umbria. It grows both on calcareous and on siliceous substrates (with optimum on the latter), as a typical element of Mediterranean garrigues, forming dense populations, especially in areas subject to repeated fires. Seed germination increases significantly after the passage of fire , an adaptation that allows the plant to colonise wide areas. The species is found on the edge of the Sardinian temporary ponds, in contact with Mediterranean maquis and garrigue vegetation. The genus name, from the Greek 'kìsthos' (capsule, basket), perhaps refers to the shape of the fruit and was already used by Dioscorides to designate a plant from which a resinous substance used as incense was extracted; the species name refers to the city of Montpellier, in the surroundings of which the species is present. Flowering period: April to May.

Italian name(s): Brentine (Toscana), Cisto (Toscana), Cisto di Montpellier (Italia), Cisto marino (Toscana), Imbrentano (Toscana), Imbrentine (Toscana), Imbrentino (Toscana), Ladano (antichi), Mucchianico (Campania, Capri), Mucchio (Toscana, Volterra), Mucchio fietolo (Puglia, Lecce), Mucciu (Sardegna, Alzai), Muciu (Sardegna, Sard. settentr.), Mudecru (Sardegna, Alzai), Mudeju (Sardegna, Sard. settentr.), Mudregu (Sardegna, Alzai), Murdegu (Sardegna, Alzai), Murdegu cistu (Sardegna, Arzana), Murdeju (Sardegna, Sassari), Muschio (Toscana, Grosseto), Mussio (Abruzzi, Teramo), Mustio (Toscana, Pisa), Perucchi (Calabria), Pisciacane (Abruzzi, Teramo), Pisciacane (Toscana, Granajolo), Pucchio (Campania, Cosenza), Rembrottine (Italia), Rimbrentano (Toscana), Rimbrentino (Toscana), Rimbretano (Toscana), Rosola (Basilicata), Rosolania (Campania, Ischia), Rusedda (Sicilia), Rusidduzza (Sicilia, Avola), Russedda da camiari furni (Sicilia, Palermo), Russedda da scaldar furni (Sicilia, Messina), Salvia salvadega (Lombardia, Bergamo), Sarvia sarvaggia (Sicilia), Sciattai (Liguria, S. Fruttuoso di Portofino), Smuzzighe (Liguria, Mortola), Tignamica (Toscana, Granajolo), Tignamicone (Toscana, Granajolo).