Fumaria officinalis

Καπνόχορτο, Κάπνη, Φουμάρια η κοινή

Etymology of Fumaria officinalis: In 1753, Linnaeus established the genus Fumaria in his Species Plantarum. He derived the name from the Latin "fumus terrae", meaning "smoke of the earth," unknown why; there are countless speculations assumed for the given name "Fumaria" but the one contradicts the other. Latin "officinalis" refers to the fact that the herb was "officially used as a medicinal plant".

Nine Fumaria kinds (species and subspecies) have so far been identified in Cyprus.

Fumaria officinalis is encountered only in the districts of Limassol and Pafos, as well as in the Troodos region, at an altitude of up to 1525 metres. Fumaria officinalis blooms from March until June.

How to identify Fumaria officinalis:

Fumaria officinalis is the only Fumaria species in Cyprus whose apex of ripe (dry) fruit is distinctly flattened or emarginate. All the other Fumaria species have rounded acute or apiculate fruit.