Τριφύλλι το βαμβακομπαλάκι
Etymology of Trifolium pilulare: 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. "Pilulare" is the demunitive of Latin "pilula'', meaning "little ball, globule", hence "little globular ball", referring to the fruit.
Around 36 Trifolium taxa (species and subspecies) have been identified in the wild Cypriot habitat so far.
Trifolium pilulare is an uncommon plant in Cyprus producing small flower heads with a cotton ball appearance after the flowering period. It is encountered all around the island, except for the Central Mesaoria plains (Nicosia and surrounding areas), and the Karpasia peninsula. It appears between an altitude of 150-1400 metres. It primarily appears on roadsides, fields, and grassy/rocky slopes. Its flowering period is from March until June.
