We describe the application of Cistus incanus extract as a source of reducing, structure-directing and stabilizing agents in the fabrication of gold nanoparticles (GNPs) from tetrachloroauric acid solution. The synthesis resulted in the formation of nanostructures with highly extended surface area, resembling the shape of popcorn. Various ratios of plant extract volume to chloroauric acid volume were investigated in order to obtain nanoparticles with desired shapes having the narrowest size distribution. The synthesized nanoparticles were characterized using UV-Vis absorption spectroscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and atomic force microscopy (AFM). Multiphoton-excited luminescence (MPL) properties of plant extract synthesized popcorn-shaped gold nano-particles were examined in comparison with gold nanostars synthesized chemically, The obtained results suggest that the GNPs synthesized using cistus extract may be useful imaging agents for multiphoton microscopy.