Coronilla scorpioides

Κορωνίλλα η σκορπιοειδής

Etymology of Coronilla scorpioides: The name of the genus, "Coronilla", derives from the Latin and means "little crown", referring to the shape of its inflorescence. "Scorpioides" comes from Ancient Greek "σκορπιοειδής" [scorpioides], meaning "bearing the shape of a scorpion", referring to the shape of its fruits that resemble the shape of the scorpion's tail, which is rolled backwards.

There are two Coronilla taxa in the wild Cypriot habitat.

Even though Coronilla scorpioides can be found in all the districts of Cyprus, it is an uncommon plant. It appears up to an altitude of 1150 metres. Its flowering period is between January and May.

How to identify Coronilla scorpioides:

Coronilla scorpioides's upper cauline leaves are subsessile with 1-3 leaflets and its pod is commonly curled upwards. On the contrary, Coronilla repanda subsp. repanda's upper cauline leaves are petiolate with 5(-9) leaflets and its pod is generally curled downwards.