Antalya region - SW Turkey

[Oron Peri]

I have joined quite a large group of people all from the Cyclamen Society and Mediterranean Garden Society for a trip in SW Turkey 11-17 April.
The plan was to see early spring flowering species [Crocus, Colchiocum etc.] but dew to the hot weather most of the early species where over, still we have seen many lovely and intresting species.

It was great to meet two wonderfull forumists, Diane Clement and Jo Hynes.
for the first time i was envied for living in Israel since i could fly regularly from Turkey while most of the 45 people of the group had to wait there or still waiting for a flight...  

[Oron Peri]

Tahtali Dag is a large mountain [2366m] situated about 50 km west of Antalya, despite being very close to the sea, it is covered with snow for quite a few months.
Its Northern facing part is very cold and humid with scenarios that seems to be taken  from a northern European countries.

Crocuses were well over as well as Galanthus elwesii, other tiny jewels where still in flower, while Paeonia mascula was in buds.

The main habitat is a Cedrus libani forest just covered with Lichens belonging to the genus Ramalina.

[Oron Peri]

I was surprised to see a group of Bellevalia dubbia in this area and growing in deep shade under an enormous Plathanus tree.
We still saw few Cyclamen alpinum in flower, quite late as they start to bloom already in January.

Photos are quite dark since it  was much cloudy and shaded by the trees.

[Oron Peri]

There are quite a few intresting Lichens growing there like this yellowy one and the tiny Viola heldreichi

[intresting...but not bulbs. ]

[Oron Peri]

other small bulbs......

Ornithogalum oligophyllum
Muscari armeniacum
Gagea luteoides
Galanthus elwesii - fruits.
Galanthus elwesii habitat
Scilla bifolia
Anemone blanda

[Oron Peri]

Paeonia mascula still in buds but already beautiful.

[Oron Peri]

At the ancient site of Chimaera there were two intresting plants; Asphodeline brevicaulis, a rare East Mediterranean species, much smaller species than the known A. lutea.
Its flowers, on multi branched stems open in the late afternoon and remain open at night, I was surprised to see the large population in this site.

The second, Cytinus hypocitis is  a parasitic plant growing on the roots of Cistus plants, its showy flowers appear in spring time.
two forms exists, yellow/red and white/red.

[Oron Peri]

We have seen Fritillaria acmopetala in a few locations, they varis in color, shape, and size of the flower, all beautiful, most of the plants seen just with the flowering stem, no leaves.

[Oron Peri]

Gladiolus anatolicus is not seen often, it is a small species very similar to G. triphyllus from Cyprus.

[I.S.]

  Oron, this year there was snow less than the other years and this time of year a little late for the bulb wich I am interested but there are always some small beauties to see. I hope that you enjoyed your trip.
   According the location, that fritillaria should be
   'Fritillaria acmopetala BOISS. subsp. wendelboi RIX'
   Thanks for share these beautyes....


 

[arillady]

Thanks Oron for taking us with you to see the plants of Antalya. Especially liked the Gladiolus anatolicus and the Cyclamen. The markings on the leaves of Cyclamen are always fascinating. 

[Gerdk]

Thanks Oron for taking us with you to see the plants of Antalya. Especially liked the Gladiolus anatolicus and the Cyclamen. The markings on the leaves of Cyclamen are always fascinating. 

- not much to add - perhaps also thanks for the violet pic - nice little pansy type!

Gerd

[Oron Peri]

Thanks Pat, Ibrahim and Gerd,

Ibrahim,
i cant think of a person that likes nature and will not enjoy Turkey,
Your country with its people, food, history, views and around 10000 species of plants makes it Paradise on earth!!

[Oron Peri]

Another group of plants that fascinates me is Aristolochia, with an incredible variation in forms and colors in order to attract the insects.

Turkey has quite few species and luckily we have managed to see 3 species in bloom.

The first, A. hirta has probably the largest flower in the Mediterranean section, it has the size of a coffee cup.
A. lycica has many, flowers and is much more common and for last the tiny A.prvifolia, this one with particularly dark flowers.

[Jo]

Hi Oron,  excellent pictures, I've just started sorting mine.

No ash problems for Tom and myself, we flew home yesterday after a few days in Istanbul.

Here are a couple of images to start off.  First yourself and Diane doing the serious bit, and the next two, the subject of the photo shoot,  Fritillaria acmopetala