Rumex cyprius

Λάπαθο το κυπριακό

Etymology of Rumex cyprius: "Rumex" was named after Pliny; Rumex means "javelin or spear", due to the pointed shape of the leaves of many species of this genus. Its epithet is "cyprius" because it was initially recorded in Cyprus for the first time.

At least 15 Rumex species and subspecies have been identified so far in Cyprus, of which one subspecies is exclusively growing in occupied Cyprus.

Rumex cyprius is an indigenous but non-endemic plant that exists in all the districts of Cyprus. It is nevertheless an uncommon plant to see. The specimens of the picture were found in ancient Curium (Limassol district) and Kapedes (Niciosia district). Rumex cyprius grows on roadsides, stony slopes and limestone hills up to an altitude of 600 metres. Its flowering period is between January (sometimes as late as March) and May.