Ononis spinosa subspecies leiosperma

Ονωνίς η ακανθώδης υποείδος η λειόσπερμη

Etymology of Ononis spinosa subspecies leiosperma: 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". "Spinosa" is Latin and means "thorny" and "leiosperma" is again Ancient Greek meaning "smooth sperm", as a description for its smooth/sleek seeds.

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.

The spiny Ononis is not such a common plant in Cyprus, yet it exists in all territories except in central Mesaoria. It is often seen growing on the roadsides, as well as on dry hillsides. In Cyprus, it blooms from May till October and it is found at an altitude of up to 1300 metres.