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.