Wishes 2024

803_2522 [Christmas wishes]

 

Χρόνια σας Πολλά!

Galactites tomentosa

302_6233 [Galactites tomerosa]

 

Galactites tomentosa is a common Mediterranean plant

found along roadsides and waste lands in low altitudes.

 

It blooms from April to July and produces flowers of about 3 cm wide.

 

Photographed in Monemvasia area.

 

 

Clematis cirrhosa

IMG_2798 [Clematis cirrhosa]

 

Clematis cirrhosa is an evergreen, climbing shrub

that may climb more than 4-5 m.

It blooms in autumn and winter and produces a plethora

of scented, creamy-white flowers (18-30mm in length)

that, most of the times, cover the whole shrub,

especially in sunny locations.

 

In Greece, it spreads from Thessaly and further south

at heights of up to 600m.

 

 

 

IMG_2792 [Clematis cirrhosa]

 

From Mt. Hymittos, Oct. 20, 2023

 

 

Crocus cartwrightianus

302_2946 [Crocus cartwrightianus]

Crocus carwtrightianus is endemic to southern Greece.

It grows from sea level to 1000m in stony locations from October to December.

Its long red styles give it a unique, impressive look.

It is pretty similar to Crocus sativus, the cultivated species;

a fact that justifies why it is considered the ancestor of sativus.

 

The picture was taken on Mt. Paneio. 

 

 

 

801_1420 [Crocus cartwrightianus]

 The flower is predominantly purple-lilac (see above)

but it often comes in white, as well.

 

The picture is from Sounio.

 

 

Solanum elaeagnifolium

ΙΜΓ_2728 [Solanum elaeagnifolim]

 

 

 

 

This plant is a dense weed of maximum 1m in hight that originated from South America

and gradually spread to North America, Europe and other regions.

It has also acclimatized in southern mainland Greece.

 

It is a locally invasive species that grows in any dry open place available at low levels.

 

804_1197 [Solanum elaeagnifolium]

 

The plant blooms from May to November

and produces flowers of about 30 mm across.

 

 

804_1105 [Solanum elaeagnifolium]

The fruit is a small berry that becomes orange-yellow when it is ripe.

It is considered an ancestor of the “Tomato” that we so often use in our diet.

Crocus pallasii

303_0537 [Crocus pallasii]
 

Crocus pallasii is an Autumn crocus, with wide distribution

from West Asia to the Balkans.

In Greece, it used to grow locally on the Aegean islands of Chios, Samos and Lesvos

but, I hear, it has recently also been found in various spots of mainland Greece.

One of those spots is Mt. Hymittos where the above pictures were taken.

It flowers in rocky habitats at altitudes of 50 to 2000 m.

 

 

802_2175 [Crocus pallasii]

 

 

IMG_0540 [Crocus pallasii]

Cynthia cardui

804_1061 [Cynthia cardui]
 

Cynthia cardui (also known as “Vanessa cardui”) is widespread all over Greece

where it flies from sea level to 2.500m in all sorts of habitats,

even in gardens and parks in domestic areas.

It is observed in two generations from March to November.

 

Every year, it migrates from North Africa and the Mediterranean basin

to Europe, West Asia and many more areas.

 

 

804_1066 [Cynthia cardui]

 Its wing span is about 55-60mm.

 

In the picture above, she is feeding on nectar from flowers.

It is one of those moments when she is usually oblivious of an observer

and provides a photographer a good opportunity to press the trigger on the camera.

 

Both pictured were taken on Mt. Hymittos on Oct. 20, 2023 

Crocus cancellatus ssp. mazziaricus

IMG_2814 [Crocus cancellatus ssp. mazziaricus]

 

This crocus is widespread and native to Southern and Western Greece,

including the Aegean and Ionian islands.

 It can be found in heights between 200 and 1800m,

from September to early December.

 When in bloom, it is pale to deep lilac-blue or white.

 Its leaves appear after flowering.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on Oct. 20, 2023

 

 

DSCN2880 [Crocus cancellatus ssp. mazziaricus]

With white tepals, from Mt. Parnitha

 

 

Sternbergia lutea

804_1045 [Sternbergia lutea]

 

A crocus-like flower found in stony areas

from late August to early November.

 

Widespread in Greece. Often cultivated as a decorative plant.

 

 

 

IMG_2801 [Sternbergia lutea]

 

Both pictures were taken

at the foot of Mt. Hymittos on Oct. 20, 2023

 

 

Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum

803_0524 - R [Biarum tenuifolium_ssp. abbreviatum]

 

This small perennial flower, that looks like an Arum,

is found in Central Mediterranean countries.

 

In Greece, specifically, it is found from July to November on the Mainland

where it favors stony slopes in heights of up to 1700m.

 

Its spadix and spathe are easily spotted from a distance

because they usually appear alone, without leaves.

 

 

 803_9571 [Biarum tenuifolium ssp. abbreviatum]

The leaves appear before or after the spathe and spadix,

quite often, in rock crevices.

 

The pictures were taken on Filopappou Hill, facing the Acropolis.

 

 

Dactylorhiza saccifera

802_9255 [Dactylorhiza succifera]

 

Dactylorhiza saccifera is a widespread wild orchid

found in central and eastern Mediterranean regions. 

 

In Greece, it is found throughout mainland Greece, in Evia and in Peloponnese

on wet soils, like marshes, banks of streams, moist forests, etc.

 

A robust, tall plant. Up to 90 cm.

It flowers from June to August in heights up to 2200m.

 

The picture above was taken on Mt. Parnitha.

 

 

 

303_8632 [Dactylorhiza succifera]

 

From Mt. Dirfis in Evia

 

 

303_8636 [Dactylorhiza succifera]

 From Mt. Dirfis in Evia

Colchicum bivonae

802_6753 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

Colchicum bivonae is a poisonous, autumn flower

found mainly in the Balkans and Italy.

In Greece, it blooms everywhere,except Crete and the Cyclades,

at altitudes of 300 m to 1300 m during the months of September, October and mid-November.

Its leaves appear in spring.

 

The picture above was taken on Mt. Parnitha.

 

If you want to watch an older - less than 3-min long - post

with more pictures of bivonae in the form of a video,

please click HERE.

 

 

Colchicum sfikasianum

804_1015 [Colchicum sfikasianum]

 

The genus of Colchicum comprises 31 species in Greece, including 12 endemics. 

They appear mostly in Autumn.

Colchicum sfikasianum (above) was photographed on Mt. Hymittos

in Sept. 2023

 

For more pictures and info please click HERE. 

Thank you!

😄

 

 

Cyclamen graecum

804_1022 [Cyclamen graecum]

 

 The genus Cyclamen includes about 15 species

that grow mainly in the Mediterranean regions at altitudes of up to 1200 m. 

 

In Greece, specifically, there are 5 native species

with ‘graecum’ being the most prevalent in Southern Greece and the Aegean islands.

It grows particularly in rocky slopes and generally sun-exposed places

from September to November.

The flowers generally appear before the leaves and vary in color from white to pink.

 

I hope you don't mind my adding here something personal …

 

I love this flower and I know it loves me back!

What else could it probably mean the fact that whenever I approach it,

it welcomes me with the well-known, love-denoting, heart-symbol

that it forms with its leaves? 😊😊😊

(See below!)

 

801_1034 [Cyclamen graecum]

 

The pictures were taken on Mt. Hymittos

 

Capparis spinosa

IMG_2639 [Capparis spinosa]

Capparis spinosa is a sprawling, relatively low perennial plant

that loves growing in wall- and cliff-crevices.

“Spinosa” in Latin means ‘thorny’

but this plant is only generally, not consistently spiny. 

 

Its beautiful, conspicuous flowers (about 50-70 mm in diameter)

 usually bloom one or two at a time

when the stem that carries them has grown enough.

 

The plant is often cultivated for culinary use.

Its flower-buds can be pickled and used in salads.

 

Photographed in Holargos in Summer 2023 

 

 

Ornithogalum arabicum

IMG_2461 [Ornithogalum arabicum]

 

Greece is home to more than 20 species of Ornithogalum, known as stars of Bethlehem,

but Ornithogalum arabicum (above) is probably the largest and most distinctive.

It reaches the height of 80 cm and from April to May it is topped with a cluster of up to 25 flowers -

5cm wide each.

It flourishes on rocky grounds in countries of northern Africa and southern Europe.

 

Photographed in Holargos on May 15, 2023

 

 

Salvia pomifera

804_0801 [Salvia pomifera]

 

An aromatic plant found from April to June on stony slopes and roadsides.

In Greece, it grows mainly on South mainland and the Aegean islands.

 Up to 1m tall

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos in 2023

 

 

Papilio machaon

801-9864 [Papilio machaon]

 

Papilio machaon - a common but beautiful butterfly - is resting

on a Phlomis fruticosa plant and collecting energy from the sun

so that she has enough “fuel” for the rest of the day.

 

Wingspan 70-80 cm

Flight period: February to November

 

 

 

804_0427 [Papilio machaon]

 

machaon’s caterpillar

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos in 2022

Asphodelus fistulosus

804_0616 [Asphodelus fistulosus]

 

Asphodelus fistulosus thrives in any area with a Mediterranean climate.

It can be found as a common weed in pastures, roadsides and rocky areas of many countries of Europe, or as an invasive noxious weed with significant infestations in various parts of the USA

and other countries!

It is a short-lived perennial that usually reaches the height of 70 cm

and produces white flowers that open during daylight hours

and close at night or in low-light weather conditions.

 

Livestock avoid eating it,

so, undisturbed, it gradually occupies any available space in its habitat.

(See below).

 

 

3031636 [Asphodelus fistulosus]

 The pictures were taken at the foot of Mt. Hymittos on March 24, 2023.

 

 

Lepista nuda

304_0951 [Lepista nuda]

Lepista nuda is a very common mushroom that occurs in Autumn - 

rarely in early Spring - in parks, forests, gardens, roadsides, etc.

 

In some mushroom-related literature,

it is mentioned that it is edible and that it has a pleasant fragrant smell.

 

Between you and me … 

I have never tasted it and I will never do; I am sure you know why!

 

Photographed in Athens botanical garden at the foot of Mt. Egaleo.

 

 

Digitalis ferruginea

301_2879 [Digitalis ferruginea]
 

Digitalis ferruginea is a short-lived flower (usually 2-3 years)

found in South Europe and West Asia.

In Greece,it is present in most parts of the mainland

in habitats like open areas of forests and meadows in heights of up to 1500m.

It grows to 1.5m, blooms in July and produces rusty-colored flowers.

(Its name derives from the Latin word ferruginea that means “rusty colored”.)

 

Caution:

If you ever see it and feel tempted to touch it,

please keep in mind that it may cause allergic reaction.

If you insist,

the use of gloves might be a good idea.

 

The picture was taken on Mt. Taygetos.

 

 

304_3138 [Digitalis ferruginea]

 

From Mt. Oiti

Epipactis helleborine

302_0467 [Epipactis helleborine]

 

Epipactis helleborine is a species of wild orchid found in Europe and Asia.

In Greece, it flourishes from June to August in shady places

-usually in forests- on heights of up to 2000 m.

It gets 20-100cm tall and bears 10-100 flowers that vary greatly in color.

They can be green, dark red or almost white.

 

This picture was taken on Mt. Olympos on July 10, 2009.

 

 

303_3812 [Epipactis helleborine]

 

From Mt. Parnitha July 15, 2011

 

 

303_3812 [Epipactis helleborine]

 A closeup on the above picture

 

 

Half a sun umbrella

Umbrella

 

In Greece, we are experiencing unusually high temperatures these days

and everyone is looking for countermeasures to protect themselves.

Bard, Google’s Artificial Intelligence robot,

recommends for the case drinking plenty of fluids, staying in cool places, dressing lightly,

wearing a hat and sunglasses, taking frequent cool showers or baths, avoiding vigorous exercise,

and frequently checking up on the elderly.

 

With Bard’s permission, I add to this list the use of a sun umbrella

and hope we keep in mind that under certain conditions

even half an umbrella (see above) may prove more effective than no umbrella at all!

😊😊😊

 

 This picture was taken in Venice, Italy, some years ago.

 

 

10+1 Theba pisana

302_0975 [Theba pisana]

 

This little community of snails (Theba pisana) are aestivating

on Mt. Falacro during the hot summer month of July.

Understandable. Summer is not their favorite weather even on high mountains.

What makes me wonder is why 10 of them are so close together, while one is in isolation further away.

Isn’t it in good terms with the rest of the community?

 

July 12, 2009

Limodorum abortivum

803_8382 [Limodorum abortivum]

This striking plant is a Mediterranean species of a wild orchid at the beginning of its yearly life.

It first appears as a gray-purple, erect stem which will later produce 5-25 flowers

but no green leaves!

Instead of leaves, there appear numerous dark purple scales

wrapped all around the stem. 

 

803_6111 [Limodorum abortivum]

 

In Greece it is found throughout the country from April to July

in meadows, scrub and pine forests.

It may be solitary or in small groups of 1 to 4 plants and a height between 20 and 80cm.

 

This orchid is generally thought to be a saprophyte,

a plant that lives on decaying organic matter in the soil.

However,

it may possibly be a parasite feeding on the tissues of living host plants.

803_6106 [Limodorum abortivum]

Each stem carries 5 to 25 whitish or blue-violet flowers

that are about 45mm across.

303_3026 [Limodorum abortivum]

304_2690 [Limodorum abortivum]

The pictures above were taken on Mt. Hymittos

and on Mt. Parnitha in years 2020 - 2022.