Echium angustifolium subspecies angustifolium

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Etymology of Echium angustifolium subspecies angustifolium: "Echium" is called in Ancient Greek "ἔχιον" [ehion] and "έχις" [ehis]. Έχις derives from "έχιδνα" [ehidna] which means "viper", as the shape of the fruit resembles a viper's head. "Angustifolius" is the Latin synthetic for "narrow-leafed", referring to its leaves.

There are 6 Echium species and subspecies in Cyprus.

Echium angustifolium subsp. angustifolium is a common plant in Cyprus and it is found all around the island. It may bear pink, red, purple flowers that bloom between March and July, sometimes even in August. The plant reaches a height of around 60cm and it appears as high as up to 900 metres in altitude. It is drought tolerant.

How to identify Echium angustifolium subspecies angustifolium:

Its stamens are exserted from the corolla. Including the corolla they are more than 2 cm long. Its stems are erect, rarely sprawling. If the stamens are included in the corolla, which is usually less than 1 cm long, violet-blue or mauve, and its stems are prostrate or sprawling, it's an Echium arenarium.

The flowers are pink, red or purple. It doesn't have whitish flowers like the Echium glomeratum or the Echium italicum.

The corolla in Echium angustifolium subspecies angustifolium is less than 1.5 cm long. For Echium plantagineum and Echium judaeum, which also have flowers with similar colours, it is 2-3.5 cm long.