Ophrys umbilicata subsp. lapethica (Gölz & H. R. Reinhard) Faurh. ≡Ophrys lapethica Gölz & H. R. Reinhard - Οφρύς η λαπηθική της λαπήθου Μελισσάκι - Endemic to Cyprus

See also 

LIST OF CYPRUS ORCHIDS - ΛΙΣΤΑ ΟΡΧΙΔΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

Λίστα Ενδημικών Φυτών της Κύπρου - List of Endemics plants of Cyprus

Endemic to Cyprus

Altitudinal range 50–600 mD

Flowering Period Feb–Apr

Photos Akamas 25/3/2021 by George Konstantinou

Bornmueller's Ophrys - Ophrys bornmuelleri M. Schulze subsp. Bornmuelleri = Ophrys aphrodite Devillers & Devillers-Tersch. - Cyprus

  See also - LIST OF CYPRUS ORCHIDS - ΛΙΣΤΑ ΟΡΧΙΔΕΩΝ ΤΗΣ ΚΥΠΡΟΥ

Near-endemic, also in Turkey (Anatolia)

Altitudinal range - 0–925 mF

Flowering Period - Feb–AprPhotos Agios Ilarionas  2/4/2023 by George Konstantinou

Photos Souni 25/3/2021 by George Konstantinou

Onosma mitis Boiss. & Heldr.

 Photos Panagia 7/5/2023  by George Konstantinou

Status

Indigenous (IN)

 

Endemism

near-endemic, also in Turkey (Anatolia)

 

Altitudinal range

450–925 mD

 

Flowering Period

Apr–Jun

 

Phlomis lunariifolia Sm. - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus, also in Turkey (Anatolia)

Phlomis is a genus of over 100 species of herbaceous plants, subshrubs and shrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native from the Mediterranean region east across central Asia to China. Common names include Jerusalem sage and lampwick plant.

The overall size varies between species from 30 cm tall up to 2 m tall. The leaves are entire, opposite and decussate (each leaf pair at right angles to the next) and rugose or reticulate veined. The bracts (floral leaves) are similar or different from the lower leaves. All parts are frequently covered with hairs. The bracteoles are ovate, lanceolate or linear. The flowers are arranged in whorls called verticillasters which encircle the stems. The stems are usually square in section with rounded corners, although tomentum on the stems can make them appear circular. The colour of the flowers varies from yellow to pink, purple and white. The calyx is tubular or campanulate with five or ten veins visible. Five teeth, either all equal or with the outer two longer than the others. The upper lip is hood shaped and laterally compressed (P. tuberosa, however, has an uncompressed lip with a dense bearded edge). The lower lip is trifid, the central lobe being larger than the lateral ones. There are four stamens ascending under the upper lip. Anther with forked end, the upper fork being shorter than the lower. The fruits are four three-sided, nutlets, and sometimes topped with hair, sometimes glabrous. The root system can be very extensive; roots of 6-week-old seedlings have been measured at 0.7 m.

The name Phlomis derives from a Greek word for "flame", and may refer to the leaves' use in ancient times as lamp wicks.

Phlomis species are the only host plants of the moths Coleophora phlomidella and C. phlomidis. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 10/4/2016 by Mike Hadjiconstantis

Origanum dubium Boiss. - Ρίγανη - Ορίγανον - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus, also in Turkey (Anatolia), possibly in Greece

Origanum is a genus of herbaceous perennials and subshrubs in the family Lamiaceae, native to Europe, North Africa, and much of temperate Asia, where they are found in open or mountainous habitats. A few species also naturalized in scattered locations in North America and other regions.

The plants have strongly aromatic leaves and abundant tubular flowers with long-lasting coloured bracts. The genus includes the important group of culinary herbs: marjoram and oregano.

Origanum species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species, including Coleophora albitarsella.From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos 10/4/2016 by Mike Hadjiconstantis

Vicia lunata (Boiss. & Balansa) Boiss. - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus, also in Turkey (Anatolia)

Vicia is a genus of about 140 species of flowering plants commonly known as vetches. It is in the legume family (Fabaceae). Member species are native to Europe, North America, South America, Asia and Africa. Some other genera of their subfamily Faboideae also have names containing "vetch", for example the vetchlings (Lathyrus) or the milk-vetches (Astragalus). The broad bean (Vicia faba) is sometimes separated in a monotypic genus Faba; although not often used today, it is of historical importance in plant taxonomy as the namesake of the order Fabales, the Fabaceae and the Faboideae. The tribe Vicieae in which the vetches are placed is named after the genus' current name. Among the closest living relatives of vetches are the lentils (Lens) and the true peas (Pisum).
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Macheras 23/2/2014 by George Konstantinou

Erica sicula subsp. libanotica (Barb.-Boiss. & Barbey) P. F. Stevens - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus, also in Turkey (Anatolia) and Lebanon

Erica is a genus of roughly 860 species of flowering plants in the family Ericaceae. The English common names "heath" and "heather" are shared by some closely related genera of similar appearance. The genus Calluna was formerly included in Erica – it differs in having even smaller scale-leaves (less than 2–3 mm long), and the flower corolla being consisting of separate petals. Erica is sometimes referred to as "winter (or spring) heather" to distinguish it from Calluna "summer (or autumn) heather".

Most of the species are small shrubs from 20–150 cm (8–59 in) high, though some are taller; the tallest are E. arborea (tree heath) and E. scoparia (besom heath), both of which can reach up to 7 m (23 ft) tall. All are evergreen, with minute, needle-like leaves 2–15 mm long. Flowers are sometimes axillary, and sometimes borne in terminal umbels or spikes, and are usually outward or downward facing. The seeds are very small, and in some species may survive in the soil for decades.

At least 660 of the species are endemic to South Africa, and these are often called the Cape heaths, forming the largest genus in the fynbos. The remaining species are native to other parts of Africa, Madagascar, the Mediterranean, and Europe.

Like most Ericaceae, Erica species are mainly calcifuges, being limited to acidic or very acidic soils. In fact, the term "ericaceous" is frequently applied to all calcifuges, and to the compost used in their cultivation. Soils range from dry, sandy soils to extremely wet ones such as bog. They often dominate dwarf-shrub habitats (heathland and moorland), or the ground vegetation of open acidic woodland.

Erica species are grown as landscape or garden plants for their floral effect. They associate well with conifers and are frequently seen in planting schemes as massed groundcover beneath varieties of dwarf conifers. They are capable of producing flower colour throughout the year. They can also be grown in tubs or window boxes to provide interest through autumn and into winter

Plants of this genus are eaten mainly by the larvae of many Lepidoptera species, including emperor moth, garden tiger moth, true lover's knot, wormwood pug, and the Coleophora case-bearers C. juncicolella and C. pyrrhulipennella.

Some species of sunbirds are known to visit and pollinate Erica. Two such species are the southern double-collared sunbird and the orange-breasted sunbird.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Chaleuka 4/6/2015 and 27/4/2016 by George Konstantinou

Minuartia thymifolia (Sm.) Bornm. - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus, also in Greece (East Aegean Islands) and Lebanon

Minuartia is a genus of flowering plants commonly known as "sandworts" in the carnation family Caryophyllaceae. They are characterised by opposite and decussate leaves, flowers with 5 petals and sepals, 10 stamens, 3(-4) styles, and capsules with 3(-4) valves.


Minuartias are small annual or perennial plants which grow in otherwise inhospitable conditions such as on rocky ledges and in stony soil. They are found in arctic and alpine environments. The genus is widely distributed in the northern hemisphere, being native in Asia, Europe and North America.

Many Minuartia species were formerly classed in the genus Arenaria, and the obsolete genus Alsine. Minuartia sedoides was previously placed in Cherleria.


The genus was named for J. Minuart (1693–1768), a Spanish botanist and pharmacist.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Apostolos Antreas 12/3/2016  by George Konstantinou

Bellevalia nivalis Boiss. & Kotschy - Cyprus

Near-endemic, also in Lebanon and Syria

Bellevalia is a genus of plants in the family Asparagaceae, subfamily Scilloideae. It was first described as a genus in 1808.

The approximately 65 species are found from the Mediterranean: Turkey (about 12 species) and Israel (12 species), to central Asia: Iran, Afghanistan and Pakistan (two species).

Bellevalia species are perennial herbaceous plants. As geophytes, they form bulbs with a membranous sheath ("tunic"). The simple, parallel-veined leaves are basal. Grape-like inflorescences grow terminally on smooth cylindrical flower stems. The numerous flowers are located in the axils of small, membranous bracts. The hermaphroditic flowers are triple. The six identically shaped bracts are one-third to one-half their length and deformed tubular, bell-shaped or funnel-shaped in form. The color of the bracts ranges from white to cream to brown or more rarely from blue to purple. The fruit capsule is triangular in cross section with winged edges. The seeds are more or less spherical, rarely elongated and glossy.

The genus Bellevalia was first described in 1808 by Philippe-Isidore Picot de Lapeyrouse. The genus name honors the French botanist Pierre Richer de Belleval (1564-1632). A synonym for Bellevalia is Strangweja Bertol. The homonym genus Bellevalia Roem. & Schult. is a synonym of the genus Richeria Vahl from the family Phyllanthaceae.

Some species formerly belonged to the genus Hyacinthus. The genus Bellevalia is placed in the tribe Hyacintheae in the subfamily Scilloideae within the family Asparagaceae.
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Photos  by George Konstantinou

Yellow star-of-Cyprus - Gagea juliae Pascher - - Cyprus

Near-endemic to Cyprus

Gagea juliae, yellow star-of-Cyprus is a plant species in the lily family, native to Cyprus and southern Turkey.

Gagea juliae is a bulbous perennial herb with erect stems 2-20 cm high. Flowers yellow internally with a broad greenish stripe externally on each perianth segment. Flowering February-April

On damp shaded hillsides in garigue, by roadsides or in moist rock crevices or in pine forest at 50-1650 m altitude.

Native to Cyprus and southern Turkey, it is found in Akamas, Ayia, Stavros Psokas, Tripylos the Troödos forest, Platres, Ayios Theodoros (Adelphi Forest), the Makhera and Limassol Forests, Kellaki, Pentadaktylos, Yialousa. From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Photos Troodos 24/4/2014  by George Konstantinou

Allium junceum Sibth. & Sm. - Cyprus

Near-endemic, also in Greece (East Aegean Islands) and Turkey (Anatolia)

Status - Indigenous 

Photos  Episkopi Limasol by George Konstantinou