Γαουράγκαθθος, Μουσκοκαύλι, Εχίνοπος ο ακανθωτότερος
Etymology of Echinops spinosissimus: "Echinops" derives from Ancient Greek "ἐχῖνος + ὄψ" [ehinos + ops] meaning "sea urchin, hedgehog + looks", meaning "look like a sea urchin". "Spinosissimus" is the Latin superlative of "spinosus" (spiny), meaning the spiniest.
It is the only Echinops species encountered in Cyprus and is actually an extremely common plant.
Echinops spinosissimus grows at an altitude of up to 1250m, usually by the road or at rocky hillsides, and on uncultivated land. It blooms around June and keeps giving flowers until October. When the plant is green, its stem is edible; it is eaten and it tastes like the stem of an artichoke.
