Related to and resembling Cistus clusii, it is native to Morocco and Algeria in western north Africa.

[2] C. munbyi resembles C. clusii, but the flower-bearing branches are longer and the flower stalks (peduncles) and sepals are covered with white hairs, making them appear silky ("sericeus").

[3] Giles Munby gave a description of this species under the name Cistus sericeus in 1847.

Molecular phylogenetic studies place C. munbyi in a clade with Cistus clusii within the larger white and whitish pink clade of Cistus species, sister to all the remaining white and whitish pink flowered species.

It occurs in dry, sunny locations, generally in alkaline soils among bushy vegetation.