Trifolium argutum

Τριφύλλι το λαμπερό

Etymology of Trifolium argutum: The name of the genus, "Trifolium" derives from the Ancient Greek "τρία" [tria], meaning "three" and the Latin "folium", which means "leaf", hence "three-leafed", referring to the three leaflets that comprise a leaf. This word is a calque of the Ancient Greek "τρίφυλλο" [trifyllo], which actually means the same thing. "Argutum" comes from Latin and means "bright, glancing, lively", which is a reference to the appearance of the flower heads.

Around 36 Trifolium taxa have been identified in the wild Cypriot habitat so far.

Trifolium argutum is a near-threatened plant in Cyprus and it is recorded in the Red Book. As a rare plant, it appears only in western Cyprus up to a maximum altitude of only 125 metres. The specimens in the pictures were photographed at the village of Choletria (Pafos district), on cultivated ground. Its flowering period is between March and May.