in greek "sideritis" can be literally translated as "he who is made of iron". the plant was known to ancient greeks, specifically pedanius dioscorides and theophrastus. although dioscorides describes three species, only one (probably "s. scordioides") is thought to belong to "sideritis". in ancient times "sideritis" was a generic reference for plants capable of healing wounds caused by iron weapons during battles. however, others hold that the name stems from the shape of the sepal, which resembles the tip of a spear.