Senecio leucanthemifolius subspecies vernalis

Σενέκιο το λευκανθεμόφυλλο υποείδος το ανοιξιάτικο

Etymology of Senecio leucanthemifolius subspecies vernalis: "Senecio" derives from Latin "senex", meaning "old/aged person", referring to the hairs attached to the ovary to aid dispersal (of the pappus) that resemble the white beard of an aged man. The Latin compound word "leucanthemifolius" means "leaves like Leucanthemum's", because its leaves resemble the ones of the Leucanthemum genus. Latin "verna" is translated as "spring", hence vernalis means ''pertaining to spring", referring to its flowering period.

There are three Senecio kinds in the wild Cypriot habitat, one species and two other subspecies.

Senecio leucanthemifolius subsp. vernalis is a relatively rare plant in Cyprus. It does not exist in the region of Akamas, the whole Kyrenia district, the whole Mesaoria region (from Morfou bay to Famagusta bay), and in the Kokkinochoria region (from Derynia until Larnaca). It grows at an altitude of up to 1225 metres. Its flowering period is between February and May.