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!

Hypericum olympicum

303_8641 [Hypericum olympicum]

 

This is a perennial, deciduous shrub,

widely distributed in the Balcans and Turkey at heights up to 2000m.

 

In Greece,

it becomes 30 to 40 cm tall and blooms from June to August

usually in sunny and slightly shaded places.

Its showy flowers (5cm wide) may look impressive

but they are not fragrant.

In spite of that,

they are often planted in gardens for ornamental purposes.

 

The picture was taken on Mt. Dirfis in Evia.

 

 

Colchicum bivonae

302_1925 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

This is an attractive, perennial flower

that is found from West and Central Mediterranean

 eastward to Greece where it is widespread

in scrub, waysides, or open woods up to 1400 m.

 

 

IMG_8783 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

The flowers appear from September to Mid-November

either singly or in clusters of up to 6-7

and offer an attractive view with their long tepals (50-60 mm long)

arranged in the form of a cup.

 

They erroneously look leafless

but actually they do have leaves which develop later in Spring.

  

 

IMG_0208 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

 

302_1916 {Colchicum bivonae]

All pictures were taken on Mt. Parnitha.

 

A word of caution:

The plant is poisonous. It contains the toxic chemical colchicine!

 

 

 

 

Myosotis nemorosa

302_0016 [Myosotis nemorosa]

Myosotis nemorosa,

colloquially known in English as “woodland forget-me-not”,

is a biennial flowering plant native to most of Europe.

 

In Greece,

it is found on wet soil, usually next to brooks and springs,

in Central and Northern mainland at 1400-2000m.

 

 It flowers from May to Mid-August

and produces small (5-6mm) aromatic flowers.

 

This picture comes from Mt. Parnassos.