Καρακιόζης, Καλέντουλα του αγρού
Etymology of Calendula arvensis: The genus name "Calendula" is a modern Latin diminutive of "calendae", literally translated as "the 1st of the month" in the Roman calendar, which perhaps means “every 1st of the month is bloomed”, alluding to the year-round flowering. The Latin epithet "arvensis" means "from the meadow", alluding to the environment where it mostly grows.
There are two calendula species in the Cypriot habitat: Calendula arvensis, which is by far the most popular, and Calendula officinalis, which is normally a garden plant that sometimes multiplies out of it.
It is the smaller version of Calendula officinalis with much smaller flowers and leaves. Calendula arvensis can reach up to 40 cm in height (but this is the extreme case scenario as it is usually 20-25 cm tall). It is encountered all-around Cyprus at an altitude of up to 1200 metres. Its flowering period is unlimited, it can be seen blooming any time of the year. It mostly grows under full sun in gardens, cultivated or uncultivated fields and roadsides.
