Measures to protect rare plant named after Lefkara

Measures to protect and encourage the spread of Astragalus macrocarpus subsp. lefkarensis, a shrub native to Cyprus, were announced by the forestry department on Monday.

The plant is endemic to Cyprus and one of the 12 subspecies found on the island. They collectively belong to the massive astragalus genus, which contains over 3,000 subspecies.

It can reach up to a metre in height, with silvery green leaves and bright yellow flowers. It commonly grows over limestone and sometimes over volcanic soil, at an altitude of 50 to 700 metres, blooms from February to April and bears fruit from May to June.

The plant was first identified in 1976, with the name lefkarensis chosen because it was first found in the area of Lefkara. To this day it has only been spotted there, as well as Kato Drys, Asgata, Alaminos, Kelokedara, Akamas and Tochni.

Astragalus macrocarpus lefkarensis can be found in the red book of the threatened plants of Cyprus, where it is classed as “vulnerable”. To strengthen and protect the existing population, the forestry department has created a new colony in Akamas National Park. In addition, pollen was collected and stored in DNA banks to preserve the plant’s genetic material.

There are about 2,900 plants islandwide, some on private land and over two-thirds found on land in the protected Natura 2000 network. It has little reproductive success and is threatened by insect infestation, and in some cases residential development.