Lotus cytisoides

Λωτός ο κυτισοειδής

Etymology of Lotus cytisoides: "Λωτός" [lotos] is the name given to this plant genus by the Ancient Greeks; it possibly derives from Hebrew " לוֹט‎ " [lot], translated as "myrrh", which in the Septuagint is defined as "a form of oil that drips from various trees". The specific epithet "cytisoides" comes from the Ancient Greek "κυτισοειδής" [kytisoides] for "Cytisus-like", from "κύτισος" [kytisos], meaning the genus "Cytisus", and the suffix "-οειδής" [-oides], meaning "in the form of", and refers to the resemblance of this species to those of the genus Cytisus in its large yellow flowers and green stems.

There are at least 11 Lotus species/kinds in Cyprus of which three are endangered to extinction (and hard to encounter).

Lotus cytisoides is a rare, endangered plant in the Cypriot habitat. It exclusively grows on the sandy coastline of southern and northeastern Cyprus only, at 0 elevations. Its flowering period is between January and May.

How to identify Lotus cytisoides:

It is a perennial with a woody rootstock; its inflorescence is umbellate, long-pedunculate, usually with 5-8 flowers; its standard is 8-15 mm long.

It only grows on the sandy coastline of southern and northeastern Cyprus and it's the only one with silvery leaves.