Sideritis cypria

Perennial sub-shrub of the Lamiaceae family, endemic to Cyprus, where it is found in the mountainous regions of the island, mainly in the Troodos, between approximately 1,000 and 1,900 meters.

It grows on rocky slopes and sunny screes, in conditions of marked summer drought, on well-drained calcareous or volcanic substrates, in full light.

The plant forms a dense, rounded bush 30 to 50 cm in height, with woody stems at the base and densely branched. The foliage is one of its most immediate assets in the field: the leaves, small, oval to spatulate, are covered with a woolly tomentum of silvery gray to white, which persists all year round and gives the basal tuft an almost mineral appearance. At the time of flowering, many upright stems rise above the cushion, bearing cylindrical and dense spikes, with tight whorls of yellowish-green to slightly golden bracts, characteristic of the genus. The small flowers, discreet, are pale yellow.

In its natural habitat, its flowering extends from June to August. In cultivation, it occurs at comparable times depending on the climate.

Like other Mediterranean Sideritis, this species is traditionally used in Cyprus as an infusion, under the name "mountain tea", for its presumed digestive and tonic properties, although specific pharmacological data for this species remain limited in accessible scientific literature.

In cultivation, it requires perfect drainage, poor soil, and full sun exposure. It tolerates some drought once established, but fears prolonged winter humidity. Excellent plant for dry Mediterranean rock gardens and gravel gardens.