Λεπίδιο το δράβα υποείδος το δράβα
Etymology of Lepidium draba subspecies draba: Swedish botanist Carl Linnaeus (1707-1778) named the Lepidium genus in 1753. "Λεπίδιον" [lepidhion] is the Ancient Greek for "little blade" and it is said to refer to a scale on the seed pod. "Draba", was also named by Linnaeus and it is supposed to derive from the Ancient Greek "δράβα" or "δράβη", which was used to describe the species Lepidium draba, but its etymology is unknown (according to Linnaeus it means "acrid").
There are 9 kinds of Lepidium in Cyprus, deriving from 8 species.
Lepidium draba subspecies draba is said to exist in many regions of Cyprus but not in that of Akamas. Lepidium draba subsp. draba is found in a wide range of habitats ranging from roadsides (highly disturbed sites) to rangelands, meadows and pastures, cultivated fields, home gardens, and wastelands. It is encountered up to an altitude of 1700 metres and its flowering period is from March until June. The specimens of the pictures were photographed in Kato Platres and Troodos Square (Lemesos).
How to identify Lepidium draba subsp. draba:
Lepidium draba subspecies draba is similar to Lepidium draba subspecies chalepense. Draba's leaves are often grey and pubescent and its fruit resembles a reverse heart, on the other hand, chalepense's leaves are glabrous to thinly pubescent and its fruit has an oval shape.
