Hedypnois rhagadioloides

Ηδυπνοΐς η ραγκαδιολοειδής

Etymology of Hedypnois rhagadioloides: The name of the genus is Ancient Greek, from "ἡδυπνοΐς", which means "sweet smelling, fragrant". The name comes from "ἡδύπνοος" [idipnoos]. It's an old name of Pliny's for a kind of wild endive which may have had a sweet scent, although most members of the genus are not aromatic or sweet-scented. The genus Hedypnois was published by Philip Miller in 1764. "Rhagadioloides" comes from the genus name "Rhagadiolus" and the Ancient Greek suffix "-ides" (from "-ειδές") means "resembling a Rhagadiolus", referring to its resemblance with this genus (the truth is they don't resemble much).

This is the one and only Hedypnois species/taxa which is encountered in the wild Cypriot habitat.

Even though Hedypnois rhagadioloides appears apparently in all the Cypriot districts, it is an uncommon plant to be seen. It is encountered up to an altitude of 1200 metres. It grows on dry, sandy or stony ground, waysides, cultivated and fallow fields. Its flowering period is between February and June.