Melanargia larissa

302_6861 [Melanargia larissa]

 

Melanargia larissa is a widespread, attractive and easily recognized butterfly

in spite of variations existing within the same Genus.

 

It flies low to the ground with a slow flight from May to August

in altitudes from sea level to 1800m

in regions of SE Europe and West Asia.

 

In Greece, it is usually observed in clearings, forest roads, cultivated areas,

or grassland with lots of flowers.

 

 

302_0267 [Melanargia larissa]

Melanargia larissa in a resting position

with both fore and hind wings wide open.

 

The wingspan is about 50 to 55mm.

 

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha.

 

 

Datura stramonium

302_9317 [Datura stramonium]

 

Datura stramonium is an annual plant that often reaches 1.5m in height.

Its origin is not known with certainty.

Some botanists believe that it originated in the Americas, while others in Asia.

The fact is that today it has spread to all continents

and constitutes a noxious weed.

 

In Greece, it is found in uncultivated areas, on roadsides, on plots,

or among ruins and similar locations.

 

 

802_2286 {Datura innoxia]

 

 

Datura stramonium’s flowers are white or white with a tint of purple,

bell-shaped and about 6-10cm long.

 

They look pretty much like the flowers of Datura innoxia

which are longer (10-18 cm) and are either white or have a different tint,

as shown in this picture.

 

The flowers are beautiful to look at but …

 

 

302_9316 [Datura stramonium]

  

… the whole plant is extremely toxic

and it can even cause death.

 

On the other hand,

the leaves and the seeds of the fruit contain valuable chemicals

that are used in pharmacology for the production of medicines!

 

The egg-shaped fruit is around the size of a big chestnut

and the leaves can grow up to 20 cm long.

 

The two pictures of stramonium were taken in central mainland Greece.
 

 

Asphodelus aestivus

IMG_4662 [Asphodelus aestivus]

 Asphodelus aestivus is a perennial asphodel that grows on infertile locations,

like bare rocky grounds, hillsides, roadsides or pastures

in any Mediterranean country.

In Greece, it blooms from the end of February to early June

and usually gets 1-1.5 m tall. Its flowers are about 3 cm wide. 

 

It is avoided by grazing animals;

a fact that frequently allows it to form colonies of a vast number of plants.

 

Its swollen and fleshy roots contain a great deal of starch

and are said to be … tasteless but edible.

(No confirmation. Sorry 😢!

I’ve never tried them and I’m not sure I’ll ever do!)

 

On the other hand,

I’ve read that the roots at one time were gathered

for use in the production of glue for bookbinding! Interesting!

 

The picture was taken - in a seemingly not so infertile area - on Mt. Hymittos.

Potentilla recta

IMG_1080 [Potentilla recta]

Potentilla recta is a common, perennial plant native to Europe and Asia

but it can also be seen in other countries as an introduced species.

 

It grows in a great variety of habitats on elevations from 400-1800 m

and becomes up to 60-70 cm tall.

Its beautiful pale to deep-yellow flowers appear from May to mid-August.

 

The pictures were taken in a small residential area on Mt. Parnassos.

  

 

IMG_1081 [Potentilla recta]

the lower part of the plant

 

Garrulus glandarius

304_4162 [Garrulus glandaurus]

 

This impressive bird is usually found in woodlands

and sometimes in parks and in large gardens

throughout most of Europe.

 

It feeds mainly on insects, seeds and especially acorns

that it seems to like most.

In Autumn it collects as many acorns as it can find,

carries them in a pouch under its throat

and buries them in the ground

to eat them in harsh winter days and perhaps in Spring!

 

Mature birds vary in length from 32 to 37 cm and may live up to 5 years.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Pallenis spinosa

302_4931 [Pallenis spinosa]

Pallenis spinosa (referred to as “spiny golden star” by English speakers)

 is a very common plant that can reach 60 cm in height. 

It grows on uncultivated sunny lands and often by a roadside.

It blooms from April to July

and produces flowers with a diameter of about 3 cm.

In spite of its being very common,

Pallenis spinosa looks impressive with its small flowers

which combine with surrounding bracts

and form eye-catching stars.

 

Undoubtedly, (at least IMHO)

they decorate the dry, unimpressive, environment

in which they usually grow.

 

 

Tulipa australis

803_9949 [Tulipa australis]

 

304_5881 [Tulipa australis]

 

303_7370 [Tulipa australis]

 

A flower that decorates the Greek territory almost throughout the country.

It grows in grasslands and mountainous rocky places

at elevations from 500-2200 m.

and produces solitary flowers that range from 2 to 3.5 cm in length.

It blooms from April to May. 

Interesting to know that it usually has 2 leaves and rarely 3.

See above.

 

All photographed on Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Paeonia parnassica

302_0148 [Paeonia parnassica]

 

This is a ‘luxury’ plant

or “the queen of all flowers” as an ancient Greek poet called it centuries ago. 

 

 

302_0160 [Paeonia parnassica]

 

It grows in North America, North Africa, Europe, Russia, China, India, and other places,

producing solitary flowers 7-13 cm wide

that are both beautiful to look at and peculiarly fragrant to smell.

It grows up to 65 cm tall in woodland clearings

at elevations ranging from 800 to 1300 m.

 

In Greece, there are 7-8 species which bloom in May

and remain in bloom for 2-3 weeks.

 

Paeonia parnassica is endemic to Mt. Parnassos

where the above pictures were taken

but it is also found on Mt. Elikonas.

 

 

_MG_5332 [shooting paeonia parnassica]

And here, the blogger in action

among a plethora of peonies on Mt. Parnassos.

 

The picture was taken by Stathis Tsekouras.