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.

 

 

  

Iris tuberosa

802_8437 [Iris tuberosa]

 

Iris tuberosa (formerly Hermodactylus tuberosus)

is a short, perennial, typically Mediterranean plant

found in the area extending from from South France to the Balkans and Turkey.

 

In Greece, it can be found in every part of the country,

at heights of up to 1700 m,

provided the habitat is grassy, rocky, garrigue or scrub.

 

It flowers from March to May

and produces a solitary, scented flower.

 

 

 

803_4540 [Iris tuberosa]

The fruit of the plant.

 

It gradually dries and reveals the seeds inside. [See below.]

When they are ripe enough, they disperse and perpetuate their species.

 

The pictures above were taken on Mt. Hymittos ...

 

 

 

803_1194 [Iris tuberosa]

 ... while this picture is from the area of Dilesi [in Attica]

 

 

Campanula drabifolia

300_6309 [Campanula drabifolia]

 

A very short plant

found usually at low-level rocky places of Central and Southern Greece

but it can also be found much higher, up to 1000 m.

 

It flowers from March to May.

Its violet-blue flowers are small, between 10 to 15 mm.

 

 Photographed at the foot of Mt. Hymittos.

 

 

Campanula celsii

IMG_0575 [Campanula celsii]

 

 

801_4869 [Campanula celsii]

Campanula celsii is a biennial plant,

endemic to Attica and some nearby islands.

It grows in crevices and gaps of mountainous rocky slopes

at heights up to 800 meters.

It blooms from April to early July.

 

 

801_4873 [Campanula celsii]

 

A close-up of the flower:

 

It might be looking huge

but actually it hardly ever reaches 3 cm in length.

 

The pictures above were taken on Mt. Hymittos.