Fagonia cretica

Φαγόνια η κρητική

Etymology of Fagonia cretica: "Fagonia" derives from Guy-Crescent Fagon (1638–1718), French physician and botanist. "Cretica" means "of Creta", the island of Greece "Κρήτη", where it was initially discovered.

This is the only Fagonia species (kind) that can be seen in Cypriot nature.

There are about 35 species of the genus Fagonia worldwide. Fagonia cretica is a rare plant (in Cyprus) and bears extremely beautiful flowers. It appears at low altitudes (0-250 metres high), only in coastal Limassol and western, coastal Pafos. It blooms from February or March until June.

Fagonia cretica is a perennial, spreading and spiny herb/bush, growing to 30 cm tall. It grows on dry ground, on calcareous slopes, and on sandy ground near the sea.