Colchicum bivonae

302_1925 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

This is an attractive, perennial flower

that is found from West and Central Mediterranean

 eastward to Greece where it is widespread

in scrub, waysides, or open woods up to 1400 m.

 

 

IMG_8783 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

The flowers appear from September to Mid-November

either singly or in clusters of up to 6-7

and offer an attractive view with their long tepals (50-60 mm long)

arranged in the form of a cup.

 

They erroneously look leafless

but actually they do have leaves which develop later in Spring.

  

 

IMG_0208 [Colchicum bivonae]

 

 

302_1916 {Colchicum bivonae]

All pictures were taken on Mt. Parnitha.

 

A word of caution:

The plant is poisonous. It contains the toxic chemical colchicine!

 

 

 

 

Myosotis nemorosa

302_0016 [Myosotis nemorosa]

Myosotis nemorosa,

colloquially known in English as “woodland forget-me-not”,

is a biennial flowering plant native to most of Europe.

 

In Greece,

it is found on wet soil, usually next to brooks and springs,

in Central and Northern mainland at 1400-2000m.

 

 It flowers from May to Mid-August

and produces small (5-6mm) aromatic flowers.

 

This picture comes from Mt. Parnassos.

 

 

Digitalis viridiflora

302_0832 [Digitalis viridiflora]

 

This is a perennial flowering plant

that grows on the mountains of the Balcan peninsula

in heights 700-1950 m.

 

In Greece,

it is widespread on the central and northern part of the country.

It becomes 60-80 cm tall and flowers in July and August.

 

302_0836 [Digitalis viridiflora]

The pictures were taken on Mt. Vermio. 

 

 

Silene coronaria

303_8679 [Silene coronaria]

Silene coronaria, also known as Lychnis coronaria,

is a perennial but short-lived flowering plant

that grows in East Mediterranean and West Asia countries

with a wide distribution in Greece.

 

It becomes up to 80 cm tall 

and flowers every two years from May to August

in Woodland margins, meadows and scrub

at heights from 200-1700 m.

 

The picture was taken on Mt. Dirfis in Evia.

 

 

Hyalarcta huebneri

802_2711 [Hyalarcta huebnery]

 

This is a snapshot of a seemingly “extra-terrestrial’ creature that,

considering its length (about 5cm), was moving on the ground relatively fast.

 

Having no idea what it was,

I conducted some quick research at home

which revealed that it was one of about 200 species of bagworm

existing in Central and in Southern Europe.

Yet, I had never seen one before!

Hyalarcta huebneri, as it is scientifically called, is actually a moth.

The male has wings and flies during the afternoon or early evening,

The wingless female, on the other hand, builds a protective case using any available plant materials,

like bits of leaves and twigs,

and always remains in the case with only the head and the thorax exposed.

 

Interesting creature?

For more information you might want to do your own research

and not depend on a blogger almost ignorant on the matter! 😊😊😊 

Thank you.

 

The snapshot was taken in Attica.

 

 

Philopappou monument

802_1878 [Philopappou monument]

 

This monument was built in 114-116 A.D on a hill southwest of the Acropolis

in honor of Philopappos, an exiled prince of Commagene

who settled in Athens, became a citizen, assumed civic and religious offices

and became a great benefactor of the city.

 

When in Athens,

you can easily walk to the monument at the top of the hill

and enjoy a spectacular view of the Acropolis and the city around.

 

 

Plantago lanceolata

804_1641 [Plantago lanceolata]

 

Plantago lanceolata is a perennial plant native to Europe

but it is also found elsewhere.

It usually grows in grassy places and disturbed areas

like lawns and roadsides at elevations up to 2100 m.

It flowers from late February to October, depending on the elevation.

 

 

804_1651 [Plantago lanceolata]

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

804_1647 [Plantago lanceolata]

The pictures were taken at the foot of Mt. Hymittos

 

 

Dactylorhiza sambucina

303_8049 [Dactylorhiza sambucina]

 

Dactylorhiza sambucina is a common, perennial wild orchid

found in almost every European country.

It flowers from April to July in meadows and woodland clearings

at altitudes - depending on the country - from 300 m above the sea level to 2.100 m.

In southern countries, including Greece, it grows only on mountains.

It reaches a height of about 30-35 cm and comes in two types:

with pale-yellow flowers or with purplish-red.

Rarely, though, it has whitish flowers. 

 

 

 

301_9646 [Dactylorhiza sambucina]

 

 

 

the rare whitish type

 

 

 

302_7191 [Dactylorhiza sambucina]

 

 Its flower types often coexist side by side … 

 

 

 

302_7181 [Dactylorhiza sambucina]

 … or in the same population.

 

The pictures were taken

on Mt. Voras in Northern Greece

and on Mt. Zireia south in the Peloponnese.