Αραβίς η ανοιξιάτικη
Etymology of Arabis verna: "Aravis" derives from Ancient Greek "ἀραβίς" [aravis] which literally means "arabic" and at that time it was a synonym of "draba". Draba in Ancient Greek is "δράβη" [dravi] and it was a name used for Lepidium draba. The name Arabis may refer to Arabia where both Arabis species and Lepidium draba are found. Latin"verna" means "of the spring", referring to its flowering period.
There are four Arabis species in the Cypriot habitat; certainly, verna is not the most popular.
Arabis verna due to its tiny flowers is extremely hard to be noticed. Despite that, it is said to grow in most Cyprus regions except for the one of Karpasia. Arabis verna grows at an altitude between 150–1225 metres. Its flowering period is usually from February until May. The specimen in the picture was found in Xyliatos village, Nicosia district.
