Μικροθλάσπι το ανατολικό υποείδος το διασκορπισμένο
Etymology of Microthlaspi natolicum subsp. sporadium: Ancient Greek "μικρός" [micros] means "small" and "thlaspi" derives from Ancient Greek "θλάσπις" [thláspis] of an unknown origin, as the word's association with Ancient Greek "θλάω" by Dioscorides is most likely paretymological. Thlaspi was called by Ancient Greeks the plant Capsella bursa-pastoris, hence this is the "small Capsella bursa-pastoris". "Natolicum" is a corruption of the Ancient Greek "ανατολικό" [anatoliko or latinized anatolicum], which means "eastern", referring to its geographical origin. The subspecies' name "sporadium" derives from the Ancient Greek "σποραδικός" [sporadikos], which means "scattered", probably referring to its nature to grow on fields and slopes scattered in masses.
There are two Microthlaspi taxa in Cyprus, one species and one subspecies.
Microthlaspi natolicum subsp. sporadium grows on stony slopes, meadows, uncultivated fields and cultivated field boundaries. If we divide Cyprus vertically into two even parts, this taxa appear in the western part, up to an altitude of 1675 metres. Its long flowering period is between January and May.
How to identify Microthlaspi natolicum subsp. sporadium:
Microthlaspi natolicum subsp. sporadium has 4 petals unequal (rarely equal), two long ones and two short ones, the two longer ones 3-6 mm long; its style is 0.3-0.4 mm long and the seeds 1.6-1.7 mm long. Microthlaspi perfoliatum's petals are equal, 1.5-3.4 mm long; the style is 0.2-0.3 mm long and the seeds 1.3-1.6 mm long.
