MIMOSA/SILVER WATTLE (Acacia dealbata) Alien species, native to Australia. Planted to stabilize soil. Spreads quickly by suckers and can quickly outgrow natural plants. Fixes nitroges through its coupling with rhizobia bacteria in the soil., enhancing soil fertility. Grows rapidly in poor soil conditions. Hardy seeds sprout quickly after fires. Aromatic.Grows in sandy soil.

FRENCH TAMARISK (Tamarix gallica/smyrnensis/tetranda) Flowers March-April. Very common Mediterranean plant tolerating very dry conditions. Attractive to bees and other insects. Grows on marshes and riverbanks stabilising the surrounding earth. Tolerates salty soil, excreting excessive salt through its glands.Tannins helps to treat rheutamism and diarrhea and liver disorders.

SYRIAN THISTLE (Notobasis syriaca) Cyprus native. Flowers February-May. Tolerant of drought and poor soil. Attractive to insects. Propogates by seeds carried by the wind. Leaves and stems edible.

COMMON VERVAIN (Verbena officinalis) Flowers May-October. Grows near streams and wet seashores. Spreads seeds both on the wind and by pollination a twin strategy helping it to spread. Its seeds remain buried in the ground waiting for favourable conditions to germinate.

HOP TREFOIL (Trifolium campestre) Flowers March-June. Native to Mediterranean. Flowers rich in nectar, providing nutrients for insects. Grows in dry sandy soil . Draws nitrogen from the atmosphere and sows it in the soil adding to soil fertility. Indicator of metal in the soil. Rich in antitoxicants, helping to treat joint inflamation and coughs.

SPINY STARWORT (Pallenis spinosa) Flowers March-July. Drougt, heat and poor soil tolerant. Producing large quantities of nectar and pollen, feeding bees, butterflies and flies who pollinate the plant as they feed. Seeds distributed on the wind in August..Treats colds and helps to heal minor wounds.

COMMON FUMITORY (Fumaria densiflora) Cyprus native. Flowers February-June. Grows in ground containing metals particularly boron. Vigerous growth from taproot and prolific seed production leads to quick colonization of surrounding ground. Pollinated by bees and butterflies. Toxic. Used medically to helps with digestion, as an eye ointment, helps to appease rheumatism, arthritis, constipation and conjunctivitis.

MEDITERRANEAN LINSEED (Bellardia trixago) Flowers March-July. Drought and poor soil tolerant. Pollinator magnet. Medical usage, enzymes used in treatment of aids, backache, menstrual problems and stress.

WILD LEEK (Alium ampeloprasum) Cyprus native. Flowers May-June. Remains dormant in the ground through the winter. Pollinated by bees and insects and can also self pollinate. Honey bees in particular attracted to its nectar, an important plant in supporting local bee populations. Its deep rootes help in soil retention. Toxic.

CORN POPPY (Papaver rhoeas) Cyprus native. Flowers March-April. Pollinating insects are attracted to its bright red flowers. Seeds can remain dormant in the ground, sprouting only when conditions are right. Growth rteveals metals in the ground, particularly phosphates. Strong narcotic, known for its calming and pain relieving properties. Contains roeasin, an antitoxic. Ued in treatment for animal eye infections. Mildly toxic.

MALLOW BINDWEED (Convolvulus althaeoides) Very common. Flowers March-May. Flowers open under day sunshine closing at dusk. Sweet tasting. Treats constipation.

AMETHYST ERNYGO (Eryngium amethystinum) Rare. Drought resistant. Tap rootes push deep into the soil surviving dry salty conditions and cold weather. Magnet for pollinators partiiculary bees and butterflies.