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 Philopappou 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.