Allium ampeloprasum

801_5046 [Allium ampeloprasum]

 

Allium ampeloprasum is a wild plant with a tall flowering stem (40-180cm)

which terminates in an umbel (5-9 cm in diameter) consisting of hundreds of pinkish flowers.

 

It blooms from May to summer in roadsides, abandoned fields, and degraded terrain

in a plethora of countries. Very common in Greece.

 

It is considered the ancestor of the cultivated leek.

 

In the picture above

the spathe on the right is about to unfold and reveal an umbel.

 

 

 

803_6299 R [Allium ampepolrasum]

 

The umbels above are in a mature state.

 

Both pictures were taken at Schinias (Attica) in May 2020.

 

 

Anacamptis coriophora subsp. fragrans

801_4988 [Anacamptis fragrans]

 

This is an extremely widespread species present in most of Southern Europe.

Small to medium in size (15-30 cm) with vanilla-scented fragrant flowers.

Its name refers to the scent of the flower.

 

It is found in large populations from March to June

in uncultivated fields, scrub-lands, brushwood, and open forests, up to 1,100 meters.

 

Photographed at Schinias on May 10, 2014 

 

 

Ophrys lutea

804_0631 [Ophrys lutea]

 

A Mediterranean species of Ophrys 

that grows up to 30cm and is similar to phryganae.

 

In Greece it is found in small localized populations

mainly in West Greece, Peloponnese and Crete.

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on March 24, 2023

 

 

Passiflora caerulea in three stages

Stage one
 

302_9103 [Passiflora caerulea]

 

 

 

The flowers are about to bloom.

Photographed in Keratea on September 28, 2010 

 

 

Stage two

 

IMG_1554 [Passiflora caerulea]

IMG_1555 {passiflora caerulea]

 

Stage three

 

IMG_7970 [Passiflora caerulea]

Caerulea’s ovoid orange fruit that perpetuates the species.

It grows to about 6 cm.

 

Photographed in Holargos on November 5, 2019

 

Passiflora caerulea is native to South America but it has been introduced to many other countries

mainly because of its intricate, scented flowers.

 If there is a supporting tree available, it can grow up to quite a few meters in height.

Orobanche crenata

801_4190 [Orobanche crenata]

 

Orobanche crenata is a common parasite of leguminous crops, especially beans and peas.

It often appears in large colonies from March to July in countries around the Mediterranean basin.

It has no chlorophyl, which means it gets the ingredients it needs to grow from host plants.

Its whitish flowers are fragrant and between 20-30mm.

 

 

304_6429 [Orobanche crenata]

 

A closeup on a similar plant magnified for details to be visible.

 

Both photographs were taken on Mt. Geraneia.

 

Tragopogon hybridus

304_6361 [Tragopogon hybridus]

This plant is found in fields, meadows and roadsides

throughout the country on heights of up to 600 m. 

Like many of its relatives, it is best seen and photographed in the morning

because its flowerheads close as the day reaches its end.

 

It was photographed on Mt. Geraneia on April 20, 2018

 

 

Wishes

Easter wishes 2023

 

Christ has Risen!

Let our souls confirm it!

 

 

 

 

 

Ophrys tenthredinifera

804_0647 [Ophrys tethredinifera]

 

Α common Ophrys found in all Mediterranean countries.

In Greece it is found in large populations almost everywhere

with the exception of Macedonia and Thrace.

It blooms from February to May in meadows, uncultivated fields,

and open forests, up to a height of 1,800 meters.

A fairly robust, tall Ophrys. 10-30 cm 

 

Photographed on Mt. Hymittos on March 24, 2023