Ονόνις η χνουδωτή
Etymology of Ononis pubescens: The term "Ononis" comes from the Ancient Greek "ὄνος" [ónos] meaning "donkey", and "ὀνίς" [onis] meaning "dung", hence "donkey's dung", as the ancient Greeks assumed it could grow where donkeys defecate. It may sound like a weird name to choose but in fact, there are more genuses with a similar name, such as the genus "Onopordum" which means "donkey's fart" and "Onobrychis". "Pubescens" is Latin and means "pubescent" because indeed, it's a sticky and pubescent plant.
There are 13 species and subspecies (kinds) of the Ononis genus in the wild Cypriot habitat, of which one is encountered only in occupied Cyprus (Karpasia peninsula). In addition, there is a domesticated Ononis species.
Plant up to 40cm tall, hairy and oily/sticky. Ononis pubescens is a locally common plant. It can not be found in areas such as the Akamas, Morfou and Paralimni regions. It grows approximately up to an altitude of 900 metres. Ononis pubescens can be seen primarily on roadsides, waste ground, cultivated fields, and hillsides. Its flowering period is between March and June.
