Fritillaria obliqua

301_7299 [Fritillaria obliqua]

Photographed in Evoia

 

 

301_6635 [Fritillaria obliqua]

 Photographed in Attica

 

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Fritillaria obliqua is a rare wild flower endemic to Attica and Evoia

where it grows in very small populations.

 

Unfortunately, for various reasons it is threatened with extinction.

This is the reason why it is included

in the “Red Book of the Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece”

and is protected by Law.

 

It blooms from early February to early April

at altitudes from sea level to 1000 m.

mostly on rocky grounds with sparse bushy vegetation.

 

 

Ferula communis

IMG_0935 [Ferula communis]

 

Ferula communis is a perennial plant

that grows on stony slopes and uncultivated areas

on altitudes of up to 600 m and blooms from March to June.

 It can grow more than 4 meters in height.

 

Its stem, that sometimes can be wider than 10 cm at its base,

is hollow and filled with a soft white substance

which – when it is set on fire – burns very slowly without a flame.

 

According to the Greek Mythology,

Prometheus took advantage of this property of the plant

to hide the fire when he stole it from Zeus

and brought it to the mortals.

 

IMG_0938 [Ferula communis]

The upper part of the plant above.

It was captured from a shorter distance

for details to be seen more clearly.

 

Photographed on Mt. Himittos

 

 

IMG_1109 [Ferula communis]

mature plants near Sounio

 

 

303_1858 [Ferula communis]

 

Focus on the flowers, also from Sounio