Πετεινός, Κουτσοπετεινός, Παπαρούνα η ροιάς
Etymology of Papaver rhoeas subspecies rhoeas: The genus name, "Papaver", probably derives from Vulgar Latin "papavum", which is perhaps a reduplicated form of the imitative root "pap-", meaning "to swell", alluding to the swelling of the seedpod during maturity. "Rhoeas" derives from Ancient Greek "ροιάς" [rias or rhoeas], probably from "ῥοιά" [ria or rhoea] meaning "pomegranate", alluding to the red color of the petals which is the same as the pomegranate's seeds.
Eight Papaver kinds (7 species and 1 subspecies) have been identified in the Cypriot habitat so far.
Papaver rhoeas subsp. rhoeas is by far the most common papaver in Cyprus and a very popular plant in fact. It is widely spotted on roadsides, cultivated and uncultivated fields, and gardens. It appears all around Cyprus at an altitude of up to 1150 metres. Its long flowering period begins in February and ends in June.
How to identify Papaver rhoeas subspecies rhoeas:
Papaver rhoeas subspecies rhoeas is similar to Papaver cyprium. Rhoes has a capsule obovate-oblong or turbinate, attenuate towards the base, and is a plant usually more than 20 cm high. On the other hand, Papaver cyprium which is encountered in the Akamas and Paralimni regions has a capsule obovoid, gradually narrowed to the base, and it is a plant reaching 5-18 cm high, delicate, growing on coastal sands.
