Sisymbrium irio

Σισύμβριο το ίριο

Etymology of Sisymbrium irio: The name of the genus, "Sisymbrium", derives from the Ancient Greek "σισύμβριον" [sisymvrio], which was the word used for this plant. It also means "woman's jewel" but it is of unknown etymology. The name "irio" is Latin, used for this species, of unknown etymology.

There are six Sisymbrium taxa found in the wild Cypriot habitat, all species.

The plant has very characteristic, numerous, slender seedpods, the siliques; they are long and narrow seedpods, splitting open when mature. Its leaves could be seen as both hairy or almost glabrous.

Sisymbrium irio is an uncommon plant encountered in central-southern, southeastern, and central-northern Cyprus, up to an altitude of at least 600 metres (as the plant in the photos, Lania village, Lemesos district). Its flowering period is between February and May.