Προβατάρης, Ρανούνκουλος ο ασιατικός
Etymology of Ranunculus asiaticus: "Ranunculus" in Latin means "little frog" and it is called as such by Pliny either because many Ranunculus species are aquatic or found near water, just like frogs or because many grow where frogs abound. The epithet "asiaticus" refers to its alleged origin.
The Ranunculus genus in Cyprus is rich, with at least 22 kinds (species or subspecies), a little hard to distinguish one from the other. Three of these kinds are exclusively encountered in occupied northern Cyprus.
Ranunculus asiaticus comes in 4 colorations in Cyprus: white (the most common), white with pink, yellow, and red. It is a popular plant encountered all around Cyprus up to a maximum altitude of 675 metres (this means it is not found in the Troodos Mountains region). It primarily grows on roadsides, grassland and rocky slopes. Its flowering period is between March and May.
How to identify Ranunculus asiaticus:
This species has the largest flowers of all the Ranunculus species growing on their own in the wild Cypriot habitat, they range between 2.5 - 7 cm in diameter (the most common size is 5-6 cm).
