Trifolium boissieri

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Etymology of Trifolium boissieri: 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. The name of the species, "boissieri", is a tribute to Pierre Edmond Boissier (1810-1885), Swiss botanist and plant collector in Europe, North Africa and Western Asia.

Around 36 Trifolium species and subspecies/kinds have been identified in the wild Cypriot habitat so far.

Trifolium boissieri is an uncommon plant in Cyprus. It is encountered only in central-southern and central-northern Cyprus up to a maximum altitude of 750 metres. It primarily grows in pine forests. Its flowering period is from March until May.

How to identify Trifolium boissieri:

It may be mistaken with Trifolium campestre subsp. campestre or Trifolium campestre subsp. paphium. Boissieri is also yellow as subsp. campestre but looking at both from the side we notice that the middle petals of subsp. campestre spread horizontally, and the lower ones spread downwards, whilst boissieri's spread vertically or sideways, upwards. Additionally, the stems of subsp. campestre are very slightly hairy, whilst boissieri's are clearly hairy. Boissieri can be found up to a maximum altitude of 750 metres, whilst subsp. campestre up to 1225.

Subspecies paphium is a western Cyprus plant which has a primarily orange colour, and its stems could be mauve.