Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
Bulbs => Galanthus => Topic started by: Melvyn Jope on April 06, 2012, 09:51:25 PM
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My previous visits to northern Greece have always been in late April and whilst it is an excellent time to travel and see many Crocus, Orchis etc I have always felt disappointed to see that Galanthus plants are always in seed and thought that sometime I should return in March. The decision was made easier this year when I was invited to stay with Greek friends at their home near Gianitsa in the district of Pella.
My first opportunity to look at plants was by the river at Kali. This is a rather remote area and a place where the European wolf lives - sometimes heard but seldom seen. The altitude here is about 40m so I thought it unlikely that I would find Galanthus and the plants encountered were fairly predictable, Muscari sp. Ornithogalum sp. Ranunculus ficaria and several attractive forms of Anemone pavonina.
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The main objective for my next trip was the road to 3-5 Pigadia. I had checked the location from previous visits so was confident of finding Galanthus if they were not still under snow. The road to Naoussa is beautiful at this time of the year as the peach trees are in full bloom. Once through the town and having found the road to the ski station the first plant encountered was Primula vulgaris and then Crocus chrysanthus.
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The Galanthus monograph by Aaron Davis has a photo (plate33) of what is described as Galanthus elwesii, the photo was taken on 25-03-91 so here I was twenty one years and one day later looking for the same plant. It was obvious that there was a lot of snow on the mountain but once we reached 860m there were the first Galanthus.
On this site it can be seen that they are growing through bracken.They were growing in association with many other plants but especially Crocus chrysanthus.
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I'd always thought Aristotle was a croconut, Melvyn, but go on, convince me otherwise! ;)
Super photos - thanks for sharing. 8)
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Among other companion plants there were, Helleborus odorus, Primula vulgaris and Scilla bifolia.
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You will note that that I have called the plant Galanthus graecus - I have heard or read of them being described as G.elwessi, G. gracilis or as a hybrid between the two. As this all sounds rather unsatisfactory I have followed the naming used by by fellow forumist Dimitri Zubov.
I wanted to take photos showing the considerable variation in leaf, flower markings etc and I hope you will see that the plant presents a nomenclature problem. Some applanate some convolute and considerable variation in the size and development of leaf at flowering time.
The following photos show some of the variation seen at the first site.
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We continued our way further up the mountain but soon encountered a lot of snow which was covering the plants, the following photos were taken at the edge of snow. We then decided it was pointless continuing up the mountain so returned to look for other sites at a similar altitude.
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We then moved to the other side of the mountain and after several miles found another Galanthus site which was more open and the plants were growing in turf under deciduous trees.
The following photos show some of the plants seen, this time at the higher altitude of 1150m.
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Finally Galanthus photos for those of you that like a little variation in flowers etc
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We had then intended to make a return visit to the superb museum at Vergina but found it was closed so went on to the school of Aristotle near Naoussa. The site was covered with typical spring flowers and then to my surprise, as it was only 40m above sea level, I found Galanthus graecus growing in the woods below the remains of the school. The plants all had seed pods which looked almost mature so had probably flowered in January/ early February.
Such a surprise to see them growing in an unlikely area now surrounded by heavily cultivated agricultural land.
Could it just be that Aristotle was a galanthophile and planted bulbs at his school?
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Aristotle was a sensible & down-to-earth chap, more interested in animals than in plants. On the other hand, I suspect Plato might well have been a Galanthophile.
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Melvyn - What a charming species this is. Some very wonderful chubby ones there too. Superb photographs as well and I suppose you got a muddy chin in the process.
And what an exquisite basal mark on G.g 3.jpg! :o
johnw
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What a fantastic site Melvin! Walking through the mountains and discovering several new things is like a dream thanks for sharing!
They are all nice, especially the yellow graecus. But you can see the ones under the pinewood trees are suffering from the acid from the dead pinewoodleafs/needles.
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Hello Melvin. superb snowdrops even better than the Cyclamen?? thanks for showing the pictures, cheers Ian the Christie kind.
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Thank you Melvyn. It's fascinating to see these lovely plants and where they grow.
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What a treat Melvyn, I like the mark on the right hand bloom in G.g j.jpg and the touch of green on the outers in G.g c.jpg marvellous natural variation. ;D
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I think another early visit to Greece is due.
Many thanks Melvyn for capturing the variation of a charming snowdrop.
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Melvyn, you have shown us a delightful selection of flowers and scenery. What strikes me about the snowdrops is not only the variation but how robust most of them seem.Fat, healthy little souls!
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Melvyn, it must be a pleasure to have a trip with you.
But it is also a pleasure to see your digital memories.
Galanthus graecus looks very very distinct.
I hope you can disclose the secret of the differences between graecus and gracilis.
Please try it for us.
Happy Easter
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Many thanks for all your appreciative comments.
One other treasure to share with you, these Colchicum were growing near the Galanthus on the second site. No idea which species so will post them on Plant Identification as well.
Now identified by Brian Mathew as C.doerfleri.
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Hi Melvyn! Very nice trip in Greece - many thanks for pictures sharing! I like so much Galanthus graecus and Colchicum triphyllum!
Dima. ;D
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It is now just over three weeks since I collected the seed pods shown in reply 9, I kept them in some damp tissue paper in a plastic bag and checked from time to time to see if the rather immature pods were ok. Today it is clear that the majority are ok and ready for sowing so in three years time I will be able to see the galanthus from Aristotle's school in flower.
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That will be exciting to see Melvyn, good job we are all patient :D