Τεύκριο το κοτσυανό
Etymology of Teucrium kotschyanum: The Ancient Greek name "Teucrium" [Τεύκριον] was used by Dioscorides for several species in this genus and is assumed to refer to King Teucer [Τεῦκρος] of Troy who used the plant in his medicine; assumed, because there was also another famous Teucer, son of King Telamon of the Island of Salamis, today in Greece. Teucer was a great archer who fought alongside his half-brother, Ajax, in the Trojan War and is the legendary founder of the ancient city of Salamis in Cyprus. It was named "kotschyanum" after Teodor Koczy (1813 – 1866) who discovered it.
At least 10 kinds of Teucrium plants (species and subspecies) have been discovered in the Cypriot habitat so far, of which three of them appear exclusively in occupied Cyprus north.
Teucrium kotschyanum is an indigenous but non endemic plant, uncommon in the Cypriot habitat. It appears at an altitude of 550 - 1550 metres in Western Cyprus. A good place to spot Teucrium kotschyanum in Cyprus is Milikouri village in Nicosia district, where lots of plants of this species can be seen on the roadside. Its flowering period is between May and July.
