''Erysimum kykkoticum'' is a species of

flowering plant Flowering plants are plants that bear flowers and fruits, and form the clade Angiospermae (). The term angiosperm is derived from the Ancient Greek, Greek words (; 'container, vessel') and (; 'seed'), meaning that the seeds are enclosed with ...

in the family

Brassicaceae Brassicaceae () or (the older but equally valid) Cruciferae () is a medium-sized and economically important Family (biology), family of flowering plants commonly known as the mustards, the crucifers, or the cabbage family. Most are herbaceous pla ...

. It is

endemic Endemism is the state of a species being found only in a single defined geographic location, such as an island, state, nation, country or other defined zone; organisms that are indigenous to a place are not endemic to it if they are also foun ...

to the Mediterranean island of

Cyprus Cyprus (), officially the Republic of Cyprus, is an island country in the eastern Mediterranean Sea. Situated in West Asia, its cultural identity and geopolitical orientation are overwhelmingly Southeast European. Cyprus is the List of isl ...

, where it is found only in the Xeros River valley in the western Troodos Mountains. The species' range measures less than 3 hectares and its population is estimated to number less than 800 plants. Its natural

habitat In ecology, habitat refers to the array of resources, biotic factors that are present in an area, such as to support the survival and reproduction of a particular species. A species' habitat can be seen as the physical manifestation of its ...

s are Mediterranean-type shrubby vegetation and rocky areas. It is threatened by forest fires, drought, forestry, and road construction.

Taxonomy

''Erysimum kykkoticum'' is a rather basal species in its genus and is most closely related to a clade that includes '' Erysimum cheiri''.

Description

Compared to similar-looking ''

Euphorbia ''Euphorbia'' is a large and diverse genus of flowering plants, commonly called spurge, in the family (biology), family Euphorbiaceae. Euphorbias range from tiny annual plants to large and long-lived trees, with perhaps the tallest being ''Eu ...

'' and '' Matthiola'' species that grow in similar habitats, ''Erysimum kykkoticum'' has spoon-faced and rather large leaves.

Distribution and habitat

The species is

, where it occupies an extremely small range spanning less than 3 hectares. It is only found in a locality called Argakin tou Pissokremmou in the Xeros River valley in the western Troodos Mountains. It grows in cracks in igneous rock or vertically on north- and east-facing banks along disused trails in forests. Its habitat is characterised by sheer cliffs and steep inclines and includes other plants such as Calabrian pine, golden oak, and shrubbery.

Conservation

''Erysimum kykkoticum'' is listed as being

critically endangered An IUCN Red List critically endangered (CR or sometimes CE) species is one that has been categorized by the International Union for Conservation of Nature as facing an extremely high risk of extinction in the wild. As of December 2023, of t ...

on the

IUCN Red List The International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) Red List of Threatened Species, also known as the IUCN Red List or Red Data Book, founded in 1964, is an inventory of the global conservation status and extinction risk of biological ...

due to its very small range and small and declining population. The species' population is estimated to number less than 800 plants and is thought to be declining based on the data from two 1998 and 2004 surveys of the species. The species is majorly threatened by forest fires, Other, less serious threats include drought, forestry, and road-building. ''Erysimum kykkoticum'''s entire range lies within the protected Paphos State Forest and the species is considered endangered in Cyprus. The Paphos State Forest is a candidate for

Site of Community Importance A Site of Community Importance (SCI) is defined in the European Commission Habitats Directive (92/43/EEC) as a site which, in the biogeographical region or regions to which it belongs, contributes significantly to the maintenance or restoration at ...

status and is a proposed

Special Protection Area A special protection area (SPA) is a designation under the European Union Directive on the Conservation of Wild Birds. Under the Directive, Member States of the European Union (EU) have a duty to safeguard the habitats of migratory birds and cer ...

under the

Natura 2000 Natura 2000 is a network of nature protection areas in the territory of the European Union. It is made up of Special Areas of Conservation and Special Protection Areas designated under the Habitats Directive and the Birds Directive, respectiv ...

program.

References

{{Taxonbar, from=Q5396362 kykkoticum Critically endangered plants Endemic flora of Cyprus Taxonomy articles created by Polbot