Nicotiana glauca

804_2325 [Nicotiana glauca]

Nicotiana glauca, commonly known as “tree tobacco”,

is a species of a small flowering tree native to South America

but it’s also widespread and naturalized globally

as an introduced species on other continents.

 

It normally grows to over 2m

and is considered a roadside weed, poisonous to humans and livestock.

 

Its yellow tubular flowers are about 5 cm long and 1 cm wide.

 

[Info derived and adapted from Wikipedia.]

 

 

 

IMG_6786 [Nicotiana glauca]

 The pictures were taken at the foot of Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Galanthus reginae-olgae

DSCN3088 [Galanthus reginae-olgae]

 

Galanthus reginae-olgae is a rare flowering plant

that grows in Sicily and parts of the Balkans.

 

In Greece, we find it mainly on Mt. Taygetos in the Peloponnese

and since 2009 on one spot on Mt. Hymittos in Attica.

Unfortunately, my repeated visits there in the last 3 or 4 years

to take some new pictures have remained fruitless.

Obvious human intervention on the spot

for the prevention of forest fires in the area

may have led to the flower’s extinction from that spot.

Ironically, it is included in “The Red Data Book of Rare

and Endangered Plants of Greece” (published in 1995).

I hope it can manage to survive at least elsewhere.

 

Its pendant white flowers (about 15–35 mm long) appear in Autumn,

in altitudes up to 1300m. usually on wet, shady woodland environments.

On the other hand,

it is also cultivated in gardens as an ornamental plant.

 

The name “Galanthus” comes from the Greek language

and means “a flower having the color of milk”,

while the name “reginae-olgae” comes from Latin

and refers to Queen Olga, once queen of Greece.

 

 

DSCN3095 [Galanthus reginae-olgae]

The two pictures above are from Mt. Taygetos… 

 

 

 

DSCN4152 [Galanthus reginae olgae]

 

…while this one is from Mt. Hymittos.

 

Perhaps it’s needless to say, but I’ll do so, just in case,

that the leaves of this species are 5-12 mm wide.

Consequently,

the leaf present at the bottom of this picture was unintentionally included in the frame

and has nothing to do with Galanthus. Sorry. 

 

 

Crocus cartwrightianus

804_2259 HF [Crocus cartwrightianus]

 

 This beautiful flower blooms from October to December

at heights from sea-level up to 1000 meters

usually on rocky hillslopes and low shrubbery

in Attica, Cyclades islands and Crete.

It is the wild ancestor of the cultivated Crocus sativus

from which the well-known saffron is produced.

The flower is about 5 cm across with yellow anthers

and an impressive style divided into three long, red, club-shaped branches.

 

The picture was taken on Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

801_1420 [Crocus cartwrightianus]

 Crocus cartwrightianus is predominantly purple-lilac

but it sometimes comes in white,

as in this picture shot near Cape Sounio.

 

 

Spiranthes spiralis

 

DSCN3154 [Spiranthes spiralis]

Spiranthes spiralis is a common wild orchid

that grows in Europe, North Africa and West Asia.

It bears 5-25 almost tiny white flowers in an inflorescence

that is arranged around the stem in a spiral way,

 - this being the reason why it is called “spiralis’.

It can become up to 30cm tall

and is found in a variety of habitats at altitudes up to 1300 m.

It blooms in Autumn.

 

In Greece, it is usually found in Attica.

 

The picture above was taken near Lavrio in Attica.

 

 

303_5232 [Spiranthes spiralis]

the spiral arrangement of the inflorescence

 

 

303_5232 [Spiranthes spiralis]

A cropped section of the above picture

highlighting the tiny flowers.

This picture is from Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Cyclamen graecum

801_7980 [Cyclame graecum]

 

Cyclamen graecum is well known, widely loved and needs no introduction.

However,

I'm sure you wouldn't object to my mentioning, in short, a few basic facts:

It is a perennial flowering plant that blooms in Autumn

and grows in a wide variety of habitats at elevations up to 1,300 m

in southern mainland Greece and the Peloponnese.

Its flowers slightly vary in tint and shape

but its toothed, heart-shaped leaves make it readily distinguishable

from other Cyclamen species.

 

 

302_9548 [Cyclamen graecum]

 

 

 Both pictures were taken on Mt. Hymittos.

Colchicum cupanii

IMG_0493 [Colchicum cupanii]

Colchicum cupanii is one of about 30 different colchicum species

that grow in Greece.

It prefers stony grasslands at elevations up to 1100 m

and gets up to 10 cm in height.

Its beautiful and delicate flowers are about 3 cm across

and bloom from September to early December.

 

However, it’s good for one to remember

that all parts of the plant are poisonous, especially its bulbs!

 

This flowering plant is also present in other Mediterranean countries.

 

 

803_0588 [Colchicum cupanii]

 Both pictures are from Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Aubrieta deltoidea

304_6196 [Aubrieta deltoidea]

This is a perennial flowering plant growing in the Mediterranean region.

It produces multiple beautiful flowers (about 15 mm across)

with petals that vary in color from purple to violet and very rarely to white.

Their beauty is probably the reason

why the plant is also cultivated in gardens for ornamental reasons

both in Greece and in many other countries.

In Greece, besides gardens,

it is most often seen in cushion-like formations (see above)

in heights from 500 to 2000 m from March to June.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

 

801_4061 [Aubrieta deltoidea]

However,

I was surprised to see it grow solitary in a little opening on a rock.

I know that Aubrieta deltoidea loves growing in stony places

and especially in rock crevices.

What I didn’t know is that it would “rush to occupy” the first available hole on a rock,

leaving the rest of the flowers “alone” in their cushion

and running the danger of being accused for showing “antisocial behavior”!!!

🤣🤣🤣

 

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha.

 

 

Mantis religiosa

IMG_6399 [Mantis religiosa]

Yesterday, while enjoying the crisp autumn air in my backyard,

I was walking around carefree when I almost stepped on this enormous insect

about 6 to 7 cm long. I'm so glad I didn’t! 

I completely forgot about the fresh air, pulled out my phone, and snapped this picture.

It's a praying mantis, scientifically known as Mantis religiosa — 

a species that’s quite common in Central and Southern Europe.

 

If you don’t often see this insect in your area, 

it’s worth mentioning that the praying mantis is a fearsome predator.

It usually remains perfectly still, patiently waiting for its prey to come close.

Then, in a flash, it strikes

grabbing the unsuspecting insect with its powerful, spiny forelegs

and enjoys its meal!

 

I have to admit that I spent more time observing its fascinating body structure

than taking this picture.

Its wide-set eyes on a triangular head likely give it a broad field of vision,

helping it strike with deadly precision.

And those spiny forelegs?

They make escape almost impossible for its prey.

 

One of the most intriguing (and somewhat disturbing) facts about the praying mantis

is its reputation for cannibalism.

Females are known to eat their male partners during or shortly after mating.

Still, there are a few lucky males that manage to escape!