Merry Christmas!

 

 

wholeheartedly

from Tagton, the blogger

 

 

Ephedra foemina

804_0536 [Ephedra foemina]

 

Ephedra foemina is a perennial climbing shrub

native to the eastern Mediterranean region.

It is found at heights of up to 1000 meters

and can get up to 5 meters tall.

 

Its characteristic numerous green (or reddish) twigs are flexible

and seem to be hanging from the top of a plant towards the ground.

 

In this picture Ephedra seems to be hanging from the top of a tree!

 

 

804_2335 [Ephedra foemina] 

 This is a vertical panorama that shows Ephedra

to have covered a whole tree from top to bottom!

 

 

804_2348 [Ephedra foemina]
 

Its distinctive red fruits appear in Autumn and Winter

and seen from a little distance all together

they provide an impressive sight.

 

 

804_0527 [Ephedra foemina]

  A closeup photo of Ephedra’s fruit. It’s 6-8 mm wide.

 

May I provide two points of interest

in case you are ready for some personal research?

 

1) The plant is being tested for its potential uses in traditional medicine, and

2) It is an insect-pollinated plant that attracts pollinators

by secreting sticky drops on cones that reflect moonlight,

a strategy that helps pollinators navigate during the full moon.

 

 

Crocus cancellatus subsp. mazziaricus

301_4746 [Crocus cancellatus susp. mazziaricus]

 

A widespread crocus that flourishes in Central Greece,

as well as in the Peloponnese and the Aegean islands.

It blooms in shades of white and purple from September to November

and is found in a variety of open habitats

at heights up to 1700m.

 

Interesting to note

that no leaves are present at flowering time.

 

The picture was taken in the Peloponnese.

 

 

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.