Αρκόκαπνος, Δυοσκύαμος, Δοντόχορτο, Δαιμοναρκά, Γέρος, Υοσκύαμος ο λευκός
The ancient Greek name of the genus, mentioned by Dioscorides, is "ὑοσκύαμος" [hyoscyamos] and it comes from the words "ὑός" [hyos], meaning "hog's" and "κύαμος" [kyamos], meaning "fava bean", hence "hog's fava bean". It was named as such because, even though toxic and poisonous, the pigs consumed it and were allegedly immune to the toxic effects of this plant's fruits, which supposedly resemble fava beans. Latin "albus" means "white", which is a reference to the color of its flowers.
There are two Hyoscyamus species/kinds in Cyprus.
Hyoscyamus albus, even though an uncommon, toxic plant, appears all around Cyprus, except in the Central Mesaoria region and the Karpasia peninsula, at an altitude of up to 925 metres. It is most common in moderate altitudes and primarily grows on walls within communities and infertile ground. Its flowering period is between January and September.
