Πάγκαλλος, Ηρύγγιον το κρητικό
Etymology of Eryngium creticum: The Eryngium genus received its name from Eryngium campestre, initially used by the "father of botany," Theophrastus (circa 371 – circa 287 BC), in Ancient Greece. The name of the genus derives from the extremely Ancient Greek word "ἠρύγγιον" [iriggion], diminutive of "ἤρυγγος" [iriggos], of which its etymology is only speculated (at least online). A later meaning of "goat's beard" is hysterogenic and doesn't represent the initial etymology. "Creticum" means "of Creta (island)".
There are four Eryngium species in the Cypriot habitat.
Historically, Eryngium was used in herbal medicine to primarily treat coughs and liver diseases. As a food source, Cypriots up-to-date remove with a knife the young plant of Eryngium creticum from the soil while is up to around 15-18cm in diameter sprayed on the surface of the moisty ground, remove the root and leaves and place it into vinegar to consume it after some days-months. At that time the plant's lower leaves resemble Ranunculus cytheraeus, and as they multiply, they change formation. In the Cypriot dialect, the (young) plant is called "Πάγκαλλος" [Pagallos], from the Ancient Greek word "πάγκαλος" [παν + καλός], which means "wholly good", most likely due to its taste when prepared in vinegar.
Eryngium creticum is a common plant in Cyprus. It is encountered almost all around the island (definitely not in the Morfou region), up to an altitude of 600 metres. Its bluish unnoticeable flowers bloom between May and November.
