Limonium virgatum

Λειμώνιο το ραβδωτό

Etymology of Limonium virgatum: The name "Limonium" originates from the Ancient Greek word "λειμώνιον" [limonion], which derives from the word "λειμώνιος" [limonios], meaning "of the harbour", referring to the coastal areas that many of the genus's species grow. "Virgatum" is Latin and means "made of twigs striped" and probably refers to the appearance of the inflorescences, striped because of the vertical position of the pedicels and calyxes on the branches/stems forming stripes.

Limoniums in Cyprus are plenty and rare; there are ten Limonium species in Cyprus and one cross-species. The majority of them can be found in South-Eastern Cyprus, in the Paralimni region. At least two of them are endangered.

Limonium virgatum is the most common of the common Limoniums that are encountered in Cyprus. It grows coastally on rocky, salty or sandy places, marshes, salt lakes or coasts up to an altitude of 150 metres, almost all around Cyprus. Its flowering period is from May until August.

How to identify Limonium virgatum:

• Limonium virgatum's leaves are simple, narrow-spathulate, relatively short.
• The stem is not winged.
• Most importantly, some of the inflorescence-branches are sterile or without flowers.