Ορνιθόγαλο το χιονόφιλο
Etymology of Ornithogalum chionophilum: Ancient Greek "ὀρνιθόγαλον" [ornithogalon] derives from "ὄρνιθος + γάλα" [ornithos + gala] and literally means "hen's milk" which is an expression for the "abundance, richness, splendid", referring to the abundance/splendidness of flowers of the initially named Ornithogalum species (if that initial plant was one or more). "Chionophilum" derives from Greek "χιόνι + φίλος" [hioni + filos], meaning "snow-friendly", because it can appear during the snowing season.
Six Ornithogalum species have so far been identified in the Cypriot habitat, of which one grows exclusively in occupied Cyprus.
This Ornithogalum chionophilum was photographed at Kardama locality, in May, at an altitude of 1100 metres. It is an area that receives a lot of snow during winter, hence we meet this species at this altitude. Ornithogalum chionophilum is encountered only in the Troodos Mountains range and surrounding mountains, at an altitude between 700-1950 (which is the top of Mount Olympus). Its flowering period, depending on the weather conditions varies between March and June.
How to identify Ornithogalum chionophilum:
Ornithogalum narbonense has an elongate inflorescence with countless flowers, this doesn't.
Ornithogalum neurostegium has hispid leaves (on their lower surface), this doesn't.
Ornithogalum divergens and Ornithogalum chionophilum have leaves wider than 3mm, Ornithogalum pedicellare and Ornithogalum trichophyllum don't.
Ornithogalum divergens's lower pedicels are 5-8 cm long and its leaves have a pale median stripe. Ornithogalum chionophilum's lower pedicels are less than 2 cm long (huge difference) and its leaves don't have a pale median stripe.
