Paeonia mascula hellenica

301_9143 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

Paeonia mascula hellenica is one of the three mascula subspecies

that grow in various parts of Greece.

It is a perennial that can reach a height of 80 cm,

grows in colonies,

and has striking white (or sometimes red) flowers that are 10–13 cm across.

It grows between 400 and 1300 meters above sea level

in rocky meadows and wooded clearings.

It is a highly rare plant

which has been used in medicine since ancient times.

Today,

it is used for ornamentation as well.

Sadly, the flowers have an overcollection problem.

 

 

301_9146 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

 

301_9117 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

The dominant white form of the flower …
 

 

 

301_9131 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 

301_9166 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

 … and the rare, red form

 

The flowers stay in bloom for only two to three weeks

in the blooming season of late March to early May.

 

  

Paeonia mascula hellenica

301_9101 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

301_9131 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

301_9143 {Paeonia mascula hellenica]

All photographs were taken some years ago on Mt. Ohi in Evoia

where there is a large colony of this flower.

301_9143 [Paeonia mascula hellenica]

Photo: Courtesy of Stathis Tsekouras

The blogger among hundreds of peonies obviously happy - for his friend and for himself -

for having found the flower after a long journey.

Thanks to Stathis Tsekouras for "immortalizing" the moment!

Paeonia mascula subsp. hellenica

301_9106 [{aeonia mascula hellenica]

 

One of the four species (peregrina, mascula, clusii and parnasica) growing in Greece.

Mascula grows in woodland clearings and rocky areas on heights of 400-1300m

on Mt. Parnitha, Mt. Taygetos and the islands of Andros and Evoia.

 

Its flowers are predominantly white and occasionally red.

 

The picture above was taken in Evoia.

 

For a flower in red and more hellenica pictures, please see an older post HERE.

 

 

Paeonia mascula ssp. hellenica

801_4339 [Paeonia mascula ssp. hellenica]

Photographed on Mt. Parnitha on April 16, 2014