Σκουτελλάρια η κυπρία υποείδος η ψηλότερη
Etymology of cypria subspecies elatior: "Scutellaria" derives from Latin "scutella", which means "a small dish, tray or platter" that describes the shape of the calyx of the flowers in this genus. "Cypria" is the female Latin for "Cypriot" as Scutellaria cypria is a Cyprus indigenous and endemic plant. "Elatior" is also Latin and it means "taller" (compared to Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria).
There are three kinds of Scutellaria in the Cypriot habitat, one species (growing exclusively in occupied Cyprus north) and two subspecies.
Scutellaria cypria subspecies elatior is a Cyprus indigenous, endemic plant. It is a perennial erect herb that in height reaches up to half a meter tall. The leaves are simple, opposite, fleshy and hairy. Hairy are also the square shoots. The flowers are corymbose, zygomorphic, with a two-tiered crown, and have a lilac color, sometimes yellow. It prefers igneous or calcareous slopes, sometimes banks of streams. It is encountered in western Cyprus at altitudes between 300-1150. It is found in several areas of the Paphos district (Pafos forest, Drouseia, Panagia, Theletra) and in other areas, such as in Limassol district (Pera Pedi, Lania, etc) and Larnaka district (Agioi Vavatsinias, Lefkara, etc). The specimen of the image was photographed near Kouris dam (Alassa, Limassol district) at an altitude of 300 metres. Its flowering period is between April and June.
How to identify the lilac Scutellaria cypria subspecies elatior:
Scutellaria sibthorpii exists only in the northern Cyprus (Kerynia district and the Karpasia peninsula), where Scutellaria cypria subspecies elatior does not appear. Scutellaria sibthorpii has nevertheless stems and leaves sparsely pubescent or strigillose, or subglabrous; its leaves are generally with markedly cordate bases. On the contrary, Scutellaria cypria subspecies elatior has its stems and leaves densely pubescent or villose and its leaves generally ovate with a truncate or broadly cuneate base.
Scutellaria cypria subspecies elatior has stems erect or ascending, pubescent with recurved, crispate hairs; its leaves are 2-3.5 cm long, densely pubescent. On the contrary, Scutellaria cypria subsp. cypria has stems diffuse, villose with long, patent hairs, and its leaves are small, less than 2 cm long, villose.
