Μηδική η δισκόμορφη
Etymology of Medicago disciformis: The term "Medicago" derives from "Μήδια" [Media], a historical geographic area occupied by the Medi that occupied a large part of today’s central and western Iran south of the Caspian Sea, the territory from which the ancient Greeks thought the plant originated; from this derived the Ancient Greek word for plant "μηδική" [medice], meaning "of Media". Latinized "Medicago" became as such from "medica" + the suffix "-ago", as in "Plantago". "Disciformis" derives from the Ancient Greek "δίσκος" [diskos], meaning "disc" and the Latin suffix "-formis", meaning "shaped", referring to the shape of its fruit.
There are at least 24 species and one hybrid in the wild Cypriot habitat (plus another domesticated one), of which one species appears exclusively in the occupied north. Another one's existence is questionable.
Medicago disciformis is a common plant of Cypriot nature. It appears all around the island up to an altitude of 600 metres. Its flowering period is normally between March and May.
How to identify Medicago disciformis:
It is almost impossible to identify Medicago disciformis unless you are aware of what its fruit looks like. Its fruit is similar to Medicago minima and Medicago polymorpha, their differences are the following:
Medicago discinformis and minima both have discoid or cylindrical pods, but disciformis has often long spines; its fruiting peduncles are long and slender, usually equalling or exceeding the subtending leaves. Minima's fruiting peduncles are generally shorter than the subtending leaves.
Also, the two species mentioned above have leaflets more or less pilose or pubescent on both surfaces. Polymorpha has leaflets glabrous above, subglabrous or thinly pilose below.