Scottish Rock Garden Club Forum
General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: papapoly on June 20, 2016, 04:54:26 PM
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Yesteraday, June 19th, I went on a trip to Central Pindus. I left my house at 8 am and after 380 km I mcame back at 9 pm. I first drove through the Katara pass, bypassing the tunnels. Last time I went there, early May and in order to photograph Fritillaria epirotica, it was very cold and hail covered my car's front window. I did not even get out of the car and had to turn back.
This time the weather was warm, about 20-22 oC, 40 oC in the plains. It was mostly cloudy, good weather for photographing. However two unfortunate things marked my trip: first, the eye-lid of my Sony HX60 camera malfunctioned (from my mishandling) and did not close well most of the time, so many images are dark in the upper left or right corners and second, I did not take the charger with me. So at 919 photos the camera went out. I did not photograph many interesting plants above the 1700 m line after going to Haliki (Aspropotamos region), turning west and climbing at the famous Baros Pass at 1950 m which, is at the ridge of the mountains separating Epirus from Thessaly.
Starting at 800 m pics 2, 13, 20 and 25 are silene sp. About 1-1,5 m wide bushes.
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Next two images are also from 800 m. As I had a long trip ahead of me I did not explore for plants at low altitudes.
31: Cetaurea sp
48: pink form, the white form occurs mostly near the sea.
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Heaving reached the Katara Pass, I parked my car next to the abandoned snow plowing station. I climbed the serpentine slopes where many years earlier I had photographed (on film) Fritillaria epirotica. Now the season was rather late for the Fritillaria and indeed, I did not see any.
First flower pic 51: Campanula hawkinsiana, one of six Camanula species I encountered in this one day trip.
pic 64: Cerastium of Minuartia (?) sp. This species occured widely but another one similar to it but smaller occured next to it, as I will show in other pics.
pics 65, 68 and 84: Unidentified sp (help please). This species occured in large colonies all over the mountains in two colorations, pink and violet.
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pic 86: a view of the serpentine slopes
pic 87: dianthus leaves?
pics 93 and 94: an identified sp. Its occurrence is wide.
pic 521: It was flowering at 1400 m.
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The most beautiful of all up to this time came out to be Daphne oleoides. It was occuring in masses and was at its peak, some bushes 2 meters wide. The air was filled with its aroma. Enjoy the next two transmissions.
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pic 108: lookin North.
I just stood there taking pictures!!! No wonder I run out of battery.
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Still in the same area:
pics: 110, 113, 141, 144 and 157: Hypericum(?) or Fumana (?) sp.
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pic 119: View towards the South
pics 124 and 131: unidentified sp. About 50-60 cm tall.
pic 117: Silene sp. About 40 cm tall.
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pic 134: Campanula sp. The second one I saw and one of the six species of Campanula I saw in flower during this trip.
pics 151 and 155: another Campanula sp. This one, about 10-15 cm tall was multi-flowered.
George Papapolymerou
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Another great day trip George - and new species again! Pic 48 must be a Cistus.
What a treat to see D. oleoides in the wild!
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Lovely photos George, and fabulous Daphnes. A shame scent doesn't come across too well in photos..
Re: IDs, could your Silene in the first batch (and possibly the Dianthus leaves further down) be Saponaria sicula?
The red-leaved succulent looks quite like Sedum album.
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Thank you Tristan,
Yes, it looks like a Sedum. So many genuses I am not sure about. I rely on your feedback so, I am learning from this, building slowly knowledge about native plants growing in Thessaly.
pics 164, 169, 200, 250 and 451, I believe are Potentilla. It is about 40-45 cm tall but, in some places it was only about 30 cm tall.
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Still in the same area
Pics 174, 183 and 428, an unidentified sp, about 30 cm tall, gracefull and occuring all over the region.
Pic 201: Hypericum of Fumana (?)
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Pics 178 and 180: cannot tell the genus. Widespread. Can someone help?
Pics 194 and 196: Minuartia or Cerastium sp
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Pics 204 and 208: unidentified sp. About 50 cm tall
Pics 226, 231 pink forms and 220 white form of the species (Genus?)
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Pics 223 and 227: Dianthus sp. Still too early for it. Later on occuring in large mats
Pics 262, 264 and 265: unidentified sp. It is common but unusual as its flowers are very small and peculiar. Any guess on the Genus?
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Pic 282: an orchid
Pics 288, 314, 348 and 346: Silene sp.
By now I moved to a nearby hill and I am at 1800 m.
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More Campanula hawkinsiana, occuring in masses, in disturbed areas in rocks by the road at 1750m.
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Pics 297, 298 and 302: Unidentified sp. A true rock dweller. Wedged among hard rock in crevices. Small but graceful. Very nice leaves. Any clue on the Genus?
Pics 339 and 440: Anchusa sp.
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Then I came upon this Beauty: Lilium albanicum ssp carniolicum. It occured in slopes facing North at 1800 m, under sparse Pine forest.
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In the slopes species shown in pics 358 and 361. I cannot recall the Genus. Not so common, preferring light shade.
Moving downhill along the road:
Pics 452, 453 and 455: Minuartia or Cerastium sp.
I am confused about these two genuses.
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George
super report.I have been several times but always in early May and so have not seen the lilies in flower. What a treat I have missed. Totally different plants flowering at that time.
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The next two species that I will be showing grew next to each other. But they look different to me.
Fisrst pics 459, 460 and 461: Minuartia or Cerastium (?)
Next pics 457 and 469: This looks like the previous sp but it has smaller flowers and different leaves.
All three species (452-453-455, 457-469 and 459-460-461) grow in an area no wider than 20 feet, on a gentle rocky slope (disturbed area) by the road. Along grew masses of Campanula hawkinsiana and no less than five other flowering plants.
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One last transmission for tonight:
Pics 484 and 486: an unidentified sp. Could it be a yellow hickory?
Pics 490 and 494: Senecio sp.
Pic 533: View of Metsovo (1150 m) from the West and from about 1450 m.
George
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George,
wonderful images. enjoy the trip. Pics 174, 183 and 428 looks like Armeria maritima ssp....
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Beautiful and rich flora George.
204,208 - an Achillea.
358,361 - Scorzonera I think.
Then what follows is a Cerastium of some sort (petals usually emarginate/bifid, styles (3)5(6). This would be the easy way to distinguish it from Minuartia, but there may be exceptions.
In other pics you may also have an Arenaria.
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The Dianthus 223 and 227 could be haematocalyx ssp. pindicola!
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George,
wonderful images. enjoy the trip. Pics 174, 183 and 428 looks like Armeria maritima ssp....
Do you think it might be A. canescens?
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The Euro+Med database is a useful resource for this kind of thing. You can query plants by country - so once you know what genus it is you can search mainland Greece, which helps narrow it down. Then a Google image search can help!
http://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/query.asp]
[url]http://ww2.bgbm.org/EuroPlusMed/query.asp (http://[url)[/url]
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Pics 262, 264 and 265: unidentified sp. It is common but unusual as its flowers are very small and peculiar. Any guess on the Genus?
Scrophularia? Certainly has a figwort look to it, though the flowers are quite open.
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Then I came upon this Beauty: Lilium albanicum ssp carniolicum. It occured in slopes facing North at 1800 m, under sparse Pine forest.
That is a most beautiful lily. Is it scented?
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Pics 339 and 440: Anchusa sp.
Perhaps Cynoglossum montanum?
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The Dianthus 223 and 227 could be haematocalyx ssp. pindicola!
They are identical to what I have as that species/var, foliage, buds and flowers. :)
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I wonder if the plants in your first Sedum pictures, could be a Thymus species or that other little related plant whose name I can't call to mind but something alpina. You'll know Maggi, and I think No 358 and 361 are a Cichorium species.
George, you must go back there when the Daphne is in fruit. They will be magnificent!
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Tristan the lily was not scented.
Lesley, I may be going back in a month. But I will visit the area again in September. It is full of Colchicum sp (large flowers).
Another species, judging from the leaves, tall, about 1,5 m, maybe from the Brassica family: pics 417 and 478. It is always difficult for me to phograph white colours.
Moving on towards Metsovo and descending I encountered this widespread sp forming large mats: pics 527 and 528. It occurs everywhere in Thessaly in large numbers by roadsides.
523: yellow sp. unidentified, widespread. May be an Allysum?
George
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An astragalus sp was very nice: pics 530 and 532
pics 546 and 686: A tall dianthus sp. About 40 cm
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However, the area was full of wild rose sp. I do not know whether they are the same species but, they occured in two colorations, pink and white.
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At this point, before going acroos from Metsovo to Anilion, so that I can then go across the Pass at 1670 m to Xaliki, I decided to visit the flats of Metsovo, a depression around 1350 m, in which there is a lake-reservoir. The Aoos lake. The area has many bogs. I was surprised to find so many interesting plants. I understand that these not being rocky plants may not be of interest to most gardeners. They were so many plants that some of them growing at the edge of the bogs were somewhat easier to photograph. Of course I was wearing the proper shoes but, I got wet neverthless.
pics 554 and 555: a small, neat white unidentified species, difficult to photograpgh well.
pics 625 and 644: partial views of the lake
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A tall Gladiolus species was widespread growing inside the bogs, standing well above the grasses.
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Pics 586 and 653: Short, no more than 10 cm, yellow unidentified sp, growing by the roadside, not in the bogs.
Pics 588 and 593: The marshes were full of this white species standing above the grasses (about 1.5 m tall)
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Masses of this Geranium sp occured everywhere, in the marshes and at the edge of the marshes, growing as tall as the grasses and competing with them: pics 596 and 656
Pics 600 and 601: I could not get any closer to this unidentified sp. It grew to about 1.5-1.7 m.
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In the same area, growing in flowing - boggy water at the edges of marshes was this orchid species. I do not know the genus.
In pic 623, Gladiolus sp. in the background, orchid sp. in the foreground.
In pic 624 nearby from the last three pics, another orchid species was growing with the former: Pic 624. I have seen it growing in bogs elsewhere. I do not remember its name.
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By the roadside, away from the marshes:
pics 633 and 634: a potentilla sp. Smaller and probably different from the one I encountered in Katara pass (1750 m).
pics 639 and 649: Species belonging to the Mint family? I do not know. Perhaps a salvia sp.? I encountered it again later on the road, in masses. Not easy to photograph it because of its small size, about 7-10 cm tall.
Pic 643: daisies everywhere
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Still in the same area.
pic 654: Stachys germanica?
pic 660: another orchid
pics 672 and 673: two different orchids growing together
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Moving away from the bogs, on the main road and just before Metsovo I encounterd masses of this small yeellow bush, very beautiful as it occured in masse covering hillsides at about 1350 m.
Perhaps a Coronilla sp.?
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I am sorry, I think the previous sp. belongs to the pea family.
This next species, pics 548, 687 and 689, also occuring in the same area, was forming mats. Unidentified genus.
pics 659 and 695: Another unidentified species.
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Moving on towards Anilion, on the other side of Metsovo, going down the gorge, I came up across this Echium species. You can see the tunnels on the other side.
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Convolvulus species occured in masses.
pics 722, 723 and 724: Unidentified Convolvulus sp., pinkish
pics 733 and 734: small bush with very small 2-3 mm, flowers belonging to the clover family.
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527 and 528 are perhaps thyme?
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Thanks Lesley. I confuse them with 65, 68 and 84 of page 1. I guess thyme sp. have extended anthers, unlike species ihn 65, 68 and 84.
Pics 736 and 737: unidentified species
Pics 738 and 743: same area perhaps same Convolvulus sp. as 722, 723 and 724? Clear white and smaller in flower size.
Pic 740: Unientified species. Perhaps a Sedum?
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Pics 749, 750 and 755: another Geranium sp. In shaded to semi-shaded areas
Pics 764 and 770: A much different Convolvulus species.
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One last for today.
Is this an orchid species? On the way to Haliki, at about 1350 m.
George
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Yes it is. Anacamptis pyramidalis.
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Quite a trip George!
Shooting from the hip a bit here and can’t be bothered to check range etc (sorry), but hopefully this will help you narrow it down a bit.
178, 180 Lotus corniculatus?
523 looks like Alyssum saxatile
554 looks like Silene alpestris, perhaps?
562, 665 Gladiolus illyricus?
586 is a Rhinanthus. And a very nice one!
593 is Filipendula hexapetala.
601 looks like Valeriana officinalis
618 is a big Dactylorhiza, don’t know which one you would get there or perhaps a hybrid.
649 try Clinopodium?
660 another Dactylorhiza
672 Orchis / Anacamptis laxiflora
548 is Anthyllis sp.
659 looks like Trifolium
749 Geranium versicolor?
Best, Tristan
PS Love Campanula hawkinsiana - what a little beauty!
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Thanks Tristan for the identifications. I will make a note on the photos so that I can identify each plant.
I have some problems with my internet in my house so I came to work to reply. Next week I will transmit images from the same trip-area from 2000 m, so that I can conclude images from this trip. There will be alpine plants such as aubrieta thessala.
George
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Well, I have internet connection again. So I am transmitting images again.
Further down the road to Haliki in clearings and by the road:
pics: 774, 777, 778 and 781, unidentified species. Tall (1.5-1.7 m) and massive. Could it be a salvia sp?
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In deep forest by the road:
pics: 799, 806 and 807, Digitalis sp. about 1 m tall
pics: 800 and 802, Geranium sp., different with very small flowers
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pic 805: Verbascum sp, one of many in this trip. In vertical cliff walls.
pic 810: more Convolvulus sp.
pics: 811, 812 and 814, Unidentified sp. Could be a Silene sp.
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Also by the roadside in partial to mostly shady conditions:
pics: 824 and 837: Another Campanula sp.
pics: 832 and 834: Another, different Orchid sp. Very small (about 10 cm tall), very small flowers and with dotted leaves.
pic 850: Geranium versicolor. The whole plant.
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pics: 838, 840 and 844: Unidentified sp. Sorry, but image is not sharp.
pic 845: unidentified sp. It seems to be different from 649.
pic 853: unidentified sp.
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pics 858 and 861: unidentified sp. Tall - 1.5-1.7 m.
pics: 865, 876 and 877: Beautiful, unidentified sp. Growing in masses in clearings and cliffs and facing South.
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pic 874: More dianthus sp. Tall, about 60-70 cm.
pic 878: unidentified sp. Pea family?
pics: 879, 882: Hickory sp? Near the Pass (about 1700 m) at about 1650 m growing in the open by the road.
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On the other side of the Pass, going down towards Haliki:
pics 888, 897: Another Campanula, or related Genus, species. Tall 1.5-1.7 m, occuring in masses by the roadside in partial shade or full sun. Occuring as I was going up towards the Baros Pass in very large numbers but, I already had run out of battery in my camera. It was windy in this spot, so it was not easy to photograph.
pics: 900 and 903: The 2nd Echium sp. Echium italicum
pic 908: A Sedum sp. on pas Haliki, on my way up the Baros Pass (1950 m).
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pics: 916 and 919. Unidentified sp. Quite different, have not seen it before. Difficult to photograpf it better.
At this point my camera run out of battery. I will describe to you some species I encountered on my way up the Pass and during my climbing from 1950 towards the peak (2177 m). I reached close to about 2100 m but, not equipped with good climbing shoes I did not continue up the very steep slope.
Following, I will show you pictures I took earlier, June 5 (2 weeks ago), when I visited the pass with friends but, as they had no botanical interest, I did not stay long and certainly I could not photograph plants. Only very few.
June 5, 2016: Baros Pass
pic 012: Going up towards the Baros Pass (1950 m)
pics 015 and 047: Ranunculus sp. Baros Pass. On this trip (June 19th) the sp. was in fruit.
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Baros Pass:
pics: 016, 018, 020, 023 and 028: Aubrieta sp. Possibly Aubrieta thessala
Minuartia sp. (probably Minuartia stellata) were growing everywhere in June 19th, up to 2100 m where I reached in very large numbers, having diameters up to 40 cm.
Also at the Pass another Campanula sp. was growing. Neat, low inrosettes. I believe it was Edraianthus sp.
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Still on Baros Pass:
pics 038 and 042: Saxifraga sp. Saxifraga scardica?
pic 046: Baros Pass (1950 m): On the left road leads to Kalarrytes (Epirus), on the right to Matsouki (Epirus). This ridge separates Thessaly (background) from Epirus.
Delimidi peak at 2177 m. I am sorry but, I will show you a photo next week. I did not downsized it yet. The peak has limestone scree and very steep slopes.
pic 050: Going down from the Baros Pass.
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Going down the Baros Pass at about 1500 m:
pics: 053 and 055: Another, very different from 888 and 897, and dinstict Campanula, or of related Genus, species. On June 19th it occuring in very large numbers on cliffs.
pic 061: Geranium sp., possibly Geranium macrorhizum. On June 19th, I found it growing profusely in limestone screes, as I was climbing Delimidi peak
pics 064 and 065: Potentilla or Helianthemum sp. I am confused about these two genuses.
This (pending the picture of Delimidi peak) concludes my trip of June 19th, with the very few supplementary pics of the Baros Pass area of my June 5th trip to the area.
I will be gratefull to have your feedback on the so many unidentified species I encountered in this trip.
George Papapolymerou
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Interesting plants again George; and how nice you're able to drive quite high in those places. Here are a few ideas for species, but you need to double check.
774-781 looks like Salvia sclarea, I don't know if grows there but a Salvia anyway
800-802 more like an Erodium than Geranium
845 - maybe a Lamium
the beautiful 865- 877 looks very much like an Astragalus to me
1024 Helianthemum
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the beautiful 865- 877 looks very much like an Astragalus to me
I wondered about Onobrychis Gabriela?
The Campanula (888 and 897) looks like C. rapunculus to me. Nice garden plant that will seed around without becoming a nuisance.
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799 - Digitalis grandiflora
811 - Lychnis, reminds me of L. coronaria but the cultivated forms have a much greyer and more hairy leaf.
919 - Looks like Digitalis lutea, or a close relative of it.
061 - Geranium cinereum by the looks of it.
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Oh, yes Tristan - Onobrychis even more likely.
I suddenly remembered the 053-055 - it's an Asyneuma. Tried to grow one once and didn't work out. I wonder why now ::)
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888 can be Campanula patula, the flowers are facing up and the specie is abundant in the pass.