Ranunculus millefoliatus subspecies leptaleus

Προβατάρης, Ρανούνκουλος ο μυριόφυλλος υποείδος ο λεπταλέος

Etymology of Ranunculus millefoliatus subspecies leptaleus: "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. "Millefoliatus'' is from Latin and it means "bearing a thousand leaves", from "mille" and "foliatus", a reference to the plentifulness of its foliage. The name "leptaleus" derives from the Ancient Greek word "λεπταλέος" [leptaleos], meaning "thin", which is a reference to the size of the seeds on the achenes.

The Ranunculus genus in Cyprus is rich, with at least 22 taxa (species or subspecies), a little hard to distinguish one from the other. Three of these kinds are exclusively encountered in occupied northern Cyprus.

Ranunculus millefoliatus subsp. leptaleus in Cyprus is encountered at an altitude of up to 925 metres in all the districts (the pictures show specimens from Pano Arodes (Paphos district) and Trozena (Limassol district). Ranunculus millefoliatus subsp. leptaleus flowering period in Cyprus is from January to May;

How to identify Ranunculus millefoliatus subspecies leptaleus:

Ranunculus millefoliatus subspecies leptaleus's flowers are of larger size compared to the small ones of arvensis, marginatus, muricatus etc., but not exceeding 3.5 centimetres in diameter. It has characteristic leaves rich in leaflets, deltoid, pinnately divided into small ovate or cuneate lobes; its sepals are patent or adpressed to petals; its tubers are clavate.