Πλαντάγο το λαγοπόδαρο
Etymology of Plantago lagopus: The name "Plantago" derives from the Latin "planta", which means "sole" or "flat", and the suffix "-ago", meaning "resemblance", hence "resembling a sole" alluding to the leaf shape of the original plant that was the reason for the genus to be named as such. Its epithet "lagopus" is Ancient Greek, from "λαγός" [lagos] meaning "hare" and "πούς" [pus] meaning "foot", hence "hare's foot", referring to the rosette of the leaves resembling the footprint of a hare's foot.
At least fifteen Plantago taxa (species and subspecies) exist in the Cypriot habitat.
Plantago lagopus is an extremely popular species and it exists all around Cyprus at an altitude of up to 1150. It blooms from February till June. What distinguishes it from the others is its fruit, which is similar to Plantago lanceolata, but shorter, initially hairy but afterwards bold. Also, its lanceolate to oblanceolate leaves are narrower than Plantago lanceolata, Plantago major and Plantago uliginosa. Its long flowering period is from February until June.
