Plantago maritima subspecies crassifolia

Πλαντάγο το θαλάσσιο το σκληρόφυλλο

Etymology of Plantago maritima subsp. crassifolia: 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. The species' name "maritima" is Latin and means "of the sea", because the plant appears close to the sea. Latin "crassifolia'' derives from "crassus", meaning "fat, stout", and "folia" meaning "leaf", and refers to the fleshy leaves (they often resemble succulent plants).

At least fifteen Plantago taxa (species and subspecies) exist in the Cypriot habitat.

Plantago maritima subsp. crassifolia is not a common plant, as it grows in specific areas close to the sea. It mostly appears coastally in central-southern, southeastern and northwestern Cyprus, up to a maximum altitude of 150 metres, such as in Akrotiri salt lake, Limassol. Its long flowering period is mostly between March and October (some flowered plants can be seen even in December).