Λωτός ο ξενικός
Etymology of Lotus peregrinus: "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". "Peregrinus" is a common Latin epithet given to species meaning "exotic, foreign".
There are at least 11 Lotus species/kinds in Cyprus of which three are endangered to extinction (and hard to encounter).
Lotus peregrinus exists all around Cyprus from zero to medium altitude of 750 metres. It mostly grows on roadsides, cultivated fields, and rocky hillsides. Its long flowering period in Cyprus may start in December and end in June.
How to identify Lotus peregrinus:
Lotus peregrinus has yellow flowers and its standard is less than 0.8 cm, something that happens with Lotus angustissimus and Lotus halophilus as well.
Its stems and calyces are clothed with short, crispate subadpressed hairs; its peduncles are short, generally less than 2 cm long, something that does not happen with Lotus angustissimus that its stems and calyces are clothed with long spreading hairs; its peduncles are slender, elongate, up to 5 cm long.
Lotus peregrinus's leaflets are 10-15 mm long and 5-10 mm wide; its peduncle is generally shorter than the subtending leaf; its pod is 2-4 mm wide. On the contrary, Lotus halophilus's leaflets are 2-10(-14) mm long, 1.5-5 mm wide; its peduncle is usually equalling or exceeding the subtending leaf; the pod is generally less than 2 mm wide.