Microthlaspi perfoliatum

Μικροθλάσπι το διάτρητο

Etymology of Microthlaspi perfoliatum: 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". "Perfoliatum" is Latin and it means "grown through leaves", from "per" for "through" and "foliatus" for "leafy", because the leaves are united basally, and are "perforated" by the erect stems.

Microthlaspi perfoliatum is also called Thlaspi perfoliatum, Noccaea perfoliata and Thlaspi perfoliatum L. var. perfoliatum.

There are two Microthlaspi taxa in Cyprus, one species and one subspecies.

Microthlaspi perfoliatum grows on stony slopes, meadows, uncultivated fields and cultivated field boundaries. It is encountered in the Northern (including the Akamas region) and Central Cyprus, except for the Karpasia peninsula. It is flowered at least during February and March.

How to identify Microthlaspi perfoliatum:

Microthlaspi natolicum subsp. sporadium has petals unequal (rarely equal), 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.