Sideritis cypria
# Sideritis cypria

Sideritis cypria, the Cyprus ironwort, is a species of flowering plant in the family Lamiaceae. Erect perennial herb with a woody base, 60 cm high, with densely hairy tetragonal shoots. Leaves, opposite, simple, obscurely serrate, densely hairy, thick, oblanceolate, 3-12 x 1–5 cm. Flowers in verticillasters subtended by the cup-like bracts, zygomorphic, corolla bright yellow. Flowers from June to August. Fruit of 4 nutlets.

## Habitat

South-facing, dry limestone cliffs, altitude 300–900 m.

## Distribution

A very rare and vulnerable species endemic to Cyprus. Restricted to the Pentadaktylos Range: Buffavento, St. Hilarion, Halevga, Bellapais, Yaïla etc.

