Vicia hirsuta

Βίκος ο τριχωτός

Etymology of Vicia hirsuta: The Latin name of the genus, "Vicia", meaning "binder", derives from Proto-Italic "wikia", which in turn originates other from Proto-Indo-European "weyk-", meaning "to curve, bend" or from Proto-Indo-European "wehy- ". The name "binder" alludes to the activity of the tendrils. "Hirsuta" is Latin and means "hairy", probably due to the short hairs on the pods (hairs in other parts of the plant are not that visible or obvious).

At least 26 Vicia taxa (species and subspecies) have so far been identified in the wild Cypriot habitat, of which two of them appear exclusively in occupied northern Cyprus.

This uncommon species is encountered only in central mountainous Cyprus at an altitude between 600 to 1075 metres. It mostly grows on grasslands and roadsides. Its flowering period in Cyprus is usually from March (sometimes as late as April) until May.

How to identify Vicia hirsuta:

V. hirsuta resembles with V. pubescens. Hirsuta's pod has short hairs and is (either 1 or) 2-seeded; its leaflets appear with a truncate or emarginate apex, as if it was cut with a blade. On the contrary, V. pubscens's pod has no obvious hairs, and it is 3-8-seeded; its leaflets are not truncate or emarginate.