Λωτός ο εδώδιμος
Etymology of Lotus edulis: "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". "Edulis" is Latin and it means "edible", referring to its young seedpods that can be eaten raw or cooked.
There are at least 11 Lotus species/kinds in Cyprus of which three are endangered to extinction (and hard to encounter).
Lotus edulis appears up to an altitude of 600 metres all-around Cyprus, excluding the Troodos mountains range and the Cental Mesaoria (city of Nicosia and its surroundings). It grows on uncultivated grassland, roadsides, cultivated fields, sandy soil and rocks near the sea. Its flowering period is between February and May.
How to identify Lotus edulis:
The flowers on each inflorescence are 1 or 2.
Additionally, it is a hairy plant and its pod is the only one (in Cyprus) that its pod is inflated, it is more than 5 mm wide, and the adaxial suture is deeply impressed, almost dividing the pod longitudinally.
