Ophioglossum lusitanicum

803_5942 [Ophioglossum lusitanicum]

This tiny plant grows in many parts of the world.
In Greece it is scarce but it can be found on mainland and Crete.

The plant in the picture was in its normal height of about 5 cm.
Its name "Ophioglossum" derives from Greek and it means "snake-tongue".
 
Photographed in Lavrio on February 04, 2020


Please click on the picture for a better view.
 

Pinguicula crystallina subsp. hirtiflora

302_7879 [Pinguicula crystallina subsp. hirtiflora]

Pinguicula crystallina subsp. hirtiflora can be found on a variety of habitats:
at sea level or at various heights up to 1700 m; in warm sunny areas, or in areas exposed to frost and snow.
We found it on a relatively dark, vertical, wet rock in a gorge on Mt. Olympos.
Looks innocent but is it? Not so much for insects. It is carnivorous!
Its leaves are covered with sticky glands that produce a liquid that attracts insects. When insects land on the leaves, they are trapped, gradually dissolved by the glands and eventually absorbed by the plant. The reason? Pinguicula grows predominantly on nutritionally poor grounds. So, it uses the insects as a “food supplement” highly recommended by Mother Nature!

Photographed on Mt. Olympos on June 07, 2010
 

Photo: Courtesy of Nikos Nikitidis

“Tagton and Co” on the way to the spot where Pinguicula was found

Narcissus tazetta

803_5969 [Narcissus tazetta]

Photographed in Lavrio on February 4, 2020

Romulea linaresii subsp. graeca

803_3769 [Romulea linaresii]

Tiny but bold enough to choose where to grow and that is anywhere from sea level to a height of 1300 m!
 
Photographed at Schinias (sea level) on February 19, 2019

Crocus nivalis (atticus)

803_5830 [Crocus nivalis]

803_5862 [Crocus nivalis]

 

803_5857 {Crocus nivalis]

Crocus nivalis (formerly 'Crocus atticus') in various stages of development.

Popular name: Crocus of snow. No wonder why it bloomed again in the middle of winter ignoring the snow that recently covered three mountains around Athens!
 
All photographed in Anthusa on January 29, 2020

Lycoperdon pratense

803_3446 [Lycoperdon pratense]

This mushroom is common and widespread throughout mainland Europe.
It is often found in small groups in pastures, at the sides of roads and generally in grassy areas.
It appears in Autumn as a whitish small ball (20-50 mm) or sometimes it takes a pear-like shape.

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha on October 11, 2018
 

 803_5636 [lycoperdon pratense]

The part of the ball that touches the ground is a characteristic of this species.

Photographed at Kaisariani on November 11, 2019
 

803_3538 [Lycoperdon pratense]

In maturity the outside of the ball becomes almost smooth, yellowish or oil-brown.

Photographed at Kaisariani on October 14, 2018

802_9283 [Lycoperdon pratense]

The mass inside the ball looks like a white sponge but as the mushroom matures it turns into fine brown spores.

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha on June 21, 2017

803_5635 [Lycoperdon pratense]

The spores disperse through an opening at the top in order to ensure the perpetuation of the species. [See video below.]

Photographed at Kaisariani on November 11, 2019

video

Fruits in captivity

IMG 2803 [Fruits in captivity]

Photographed in Volos on May 01, 2005

S. Niarchos Foundation Cultural Center

803-240 [SNFCC pano]

The new Greek Cultural Center in Athens, with its ease of access, beauty, diversity, novelty and tens of other reasons, offers itself as an irresistible photographic spot. Ideal, I might say, for amateur photographers who would like to experiment and improve their skills. One of my favorite spots!
 
On this spot, I often spend some relaxing time shooting panoramas. Occasionally, repeating the ones that failed! Why not? It’s free, enjoyable and educating! The above rectilinear panorama resulted from stitching 17 vertical pictures.
 
Photographed in Athens on October 02, 2019.
 

803_0286 [SNFCC pano]

 This is also a composition of 17 pictures but processed in a way that would produce a cylindrical panorama. I had never tried this process before but I thought the series of trees might yield an interesting result. So, I gave it a try.
 
Photographed in Athens on September 26, 2017.

Please click on both pictures to have a better view.