Αγριοράδικο, Ταραξάκο του Χόλμποε
Etymology of Taraxacum holmboei: The name of the genus "Taraxacum" derives from the Arabic word "tarakhshaqūn" for a "bitter herb". Its epithet "holmboei'' means "of (Jens) Holmboe", the Norwegian botanist (1880 – 1943) from whom the name it inherited.
Four Taraxacum species are said to exist in the Cypriot habitat. Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia, additionally, was allegedly recorded in one Cypriot location in 2015 by R. Hand (elevation of 1200 metres).
Taraxacum holmboei is an indigenous, endemic and simultaneously vulnerable species in the Cypriot habitat. It grows at a high altitude between 1225–1950 metres on the Troodos Mountains range - exclusively. Its flowering period is only during April and May. The specimen of the pictures was photographed in Troodos Square (1700 metres).
How to identify Taraxacum holmboei:
Only Taraxacum holmboei and Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia have their outer phyllaries patent or reflexed, and only these two bloom in spring during April and May. We don't have much information on the Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia in Cyprus since it has been officially recorded by R. Hand in 2015 at an altitude of 1200 metres; it is a bit unlikely that you will come across this plant.
Taraxacum holmboei has achenes bright rusty-red; the beak of the achene is 6-7 mm long, and its involucre is 8-10 mm long. Taraxacum sect. Ruderalia has achenes brownish; the beak of its achene is 7-15 mm long, and its involucre is 12-25 mm long.
