Όνοσμα η θαμνώδης
Etymology of Onosma fruticosa: The genus's name "ὄνοσμα" has an ancient Greek origin and it is mentioned by Theophrastus and Dioscorides. Όνοσμα is translated as "related to the donkey", from "ὄνος" [onos] meaning "donkey" and the suffix "-μα", referring to the fact that donkeys like this plant and actually eat it. "Fruticosa" in Latin is the female for "bushy", referring to its volume.
There is also an alternative etymology supported by lexicons -that we should not neglect- which states that the name Onosma origins from two words, "ὄνος" and "οσμή" [osme] meaning "odour", hence "donkey's smell". The supporters of this etymology justify the he justification that the plant smells like a donkey. As funny as it sounds, the word "ὄνος" was used by the ancient Greeks for an additional awkward designation of another genus, Onopordum, which means "donkey's fart".
There have been six Onosma species identified in Cyprus so far, of which one is located exclusively in the occupied north.
Onosma fruticosa is the most popular species of the genus in Cyprus. It is encountered all around the island up to an altitude of 1100 metres. It thrives on stony limestone ground and igneous formations with garrigue and phrygana vegetation land. Onosma fruticosa's flowering period is from March until May.
