Pallenis spinosa subspecies spinosa

Παλλενίς η αγκαθωτή υποείδος η αγκαθωτή, Καρφόχορτο

Etymology of Pallenis spinosa subspecies spinosa: There are three assumptions for the origin of the genus's name. The most linguistically reasonable states that the name is derived from the Latin ''pallens'' which means "pale in colour" and should be referring to the pale colour of the flowers' petals of the Pallenis spinosa species, as this one recorded in Malta. Another assumption suggests that the name is derived from Latin "palea", meaning "chaff", referring to the chaffy receptacle". The "spinosa" surname is derived from the Latin "spinosus", meaning "thorny".

There are two Pallenis subspecies of spinosa in Cyprus; Pallenis spinosa subspecies spinosa is a very common plant, compared to the less popular Pallenis spinosa subspecies asteroidea.

Pallenis spinosa subsp. spinosa is a popular plant in southern Cyprus, from Akamas to Paralimni, at a maximum altitude of 950 metres. It prefers rocky, uncultivated ground and roadsides. Its flowering period is from March until July.