[3] It resembles Cistus symphytifolius, but has smaller flowers,[4] and its leaves have a whitish appearance due to a covering of fine hairs.

[7] Smith differentiated C. ocreatus from Cistus symphytifolius (which he called C. vaginatus), noting that it had smaller flowers.

[4] The specific epithet ocreatus derives from the Latin noun ocrea, "greave",[8] plus the ending -atus, "possessing or resembling".

[7] An alternative name for the taxon derives ultimately from Édouard Spach, who in 1836 published a description of Rhodocistus berthelotianus,[10] including variety leucophyllus.

[11] Smith's name Cistus ocreatus is considered to be a synonym of C. symphytifolius or its subspecies leucophyllus by some sources;[5][2] others accept it as an independent species.