Ψυλλίνα, Ελίχρυσο το ιταλικό
Etymology of Helichrysum italicum: The genus's name "helichrysum" derives from Ancient Greek, from the combination of the words "ἥλιος" [hēlios or ilios], meaning "sun" and "χρυσός" [chrysos], meaning "gold, golden", hence "golden sun", a reference to the bright yellow colour of the flowerheads of some species such as the "stoechas", persistent even when the plant dries up. Its epithet is "italicum" because it was initially described in Italy.
There are three Helichrysum species and subspecies in the wild Cypriot habitat.
Italicum is an uncommon plant of Cypriot nature, far less popular than the stoechas subsp. barrelieri. Helichrysum italicum is encountered in western Cyprus, at an altitude of 50-1700 metres. Its flowering period is between June and September.
How to identify Helichrysum italicum:
The stoechas subsp. barrelieri has long, narrow phyllaries that differ from the other two species, the italicum, has very short, narrow phyllaries and the shorter luteoalbum has broad phyllaries and whiter flowers.
The stoechas subsp. barrelieri's flowering period is between March and May (in Cyprus), for italicum it is from June until September, and for luteoalbum between April and June.
