Τριφύλλι το φραουλοφόρο υποείδος του Μπονάννι
Etymology of Trifolium fragiferum subspecies bonannii: 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. "Fragiferum" means "strawberry bearing," from "fragum + fero" since the mature flower heads resemble strawberries. The name "bonannii" is a tribute to either Filippo Bonanni (1638-1723), an Italian naturalist, or to Antonio Bonanni Gervasi (?-1719), Italian pupil and illustrator for botanist Francesco Cupani.
Around 35 Trifolium species and subspecies/kinds have been identified in the wild Cypriot habitat so far.
Trifolium fragiferum subspecies bonannii is an uncommon Trifolium species in Cyprus. It has very characteristic leaflets and a fruit resembling a strawberry. It does not grow in the north-western, north-eastern, and south-eastern Cyprus. Its flowering period is from June until October. The Trifolium of the images was photographed in Kardama locality (Lefkosia district) in May.
How to identify Trifolium fragiferum subspecies bonannii:
Trifolium fragiferum subsp. fragiferum has globose flower heads; its calyx teeth are longer than the tube. On the contrary, Trifolium fragiferum subsp. bonannii has subglobose flower heads, ovate to irregularly cylindrical; its calyx teeth are not longer than the tube.
