Ονόνις η κολλώδης υποείδος η βραχύανθη
Etymology of Ononis viscosa subspecies breviflora
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". The Latin "viscosa" means "sticky" for obvious reasons; the Latin compound word "breviflora" means "short-flowered", because the flower appears small compared to the long calyxes that encircle it.
Ononis in Cyprus
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.
Ononis viscosa subspecies breviflora in Cyprus
Ononis viscosa subspecies breviflora is an uncommon plant in Cypriot nature. It is encountered all around Cyprus but not in the Karpasia peninsula, at altitudes between up to 600 metres. Its flowering period is between February (or even later in March) and June.
How to identify Ononis viscosa subspecies breviflora
This subspecies looks very similar to Ononis sicula. Let's see some key differences that help identify it:
Habit and Size
Ononis sicula is typically a low-growing annual herb, generally reaching heights of 7-15 cm, on rare occasions it may exceed this and reach up to 30 cm. Its stems are slender and often spread along the ground or ascend slightly.
Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora is generally a more robust perennial, often growing more upright and usually reaching heights of 15-40 cm.
Leaves and Leaflets
Ononis sicula features trifoliolate leaves with small (5-15 mm long), obovate to elliptic leaflets that have sharply toothed margins.
Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora also has trifoliolate leaves, but the leaflets are larger (10-30 mm long), obovate to lanceolate, with not sharply toothed or serrated margins.
Flowers and Calyx
Ononis sicula produces bright yellow flowers with a corolla that is significantly longer (6-9 mm) than the calyx. The calyx teeth are long and linear, being 4-5 times the length of the calyx tube.
Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora (in Cyprus) has yellow to light orange flowers where the corolla is short, typically equal to or shorter (4-8 mm) than the calyx. The calyx teeth are linear-lanceolate and are approximately equal to or slightly longer than the calyx tube.
Peduncles
Ononis sicula has peduncles that are shortly glandular-pubescent, with short hairs.
Ononis viscosa subsp. breviflora has peduncles clothed with long, spreading hairs.
