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.

 

 

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