Alyssum umbellatum

Άλυσσον το ομπρελλοειδές

Etymology of Alyssum umbellatum: "Alysson" derives from Ancient Greek "ἄλυσσον" [alysson] from the prefix "-ά" meaning "without" +‎ "λύσσα" meaning "rabies". Hence "ἄλυσσον" means "cure for rage". It basically refers to the ancient belief that this plant could cure madness. The name of the species comes from the Latin "umbella", meaning "parasol", a reference to the umbel-arranged flowers.

Nine Alyssum species have been so far discovered in the Cypriot habitat.

Alyssum umbellatum is an endangered plant, which makes it automatically a rare plant to meet. It is encountered at high altitudes between 1100-1600 in the Troodos Mountains range. The specimens in the pictures were photographed around 300 metres south of Troodos Square (Limassol district). Its flowering period is between May and June.

How to identify Alyssum umbellatum:

It is quite different from the other species but two differences are the following: a key difference is that it is the only large/wide Alyssum plant in Cyprus (as troodi, chondrogynum, and cypricum) with oblong leaves (foliosum also has oblong leaves but it's a short plant). Only 3 Alyssums in Cyprus have a stellate-pilose silicle, this one, and the short species simplex and strigosum.