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General Subjects => Travel / Places to Visit => Topic started by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 08:10:38 PM

Title: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 08:10:38 PM
Last summer I posted one or 2 photos from a trip to eastern Turkey in May 2011. I had meant to post more but life happens. This was not an organized tour, 4 of us rented a car and drove around, almost everything is roadside botanizing. I've finally organized the files. I can't promise but I'll try to post each days highlights over the next few days. From Ankara we flew into Erzurum and stayed at the Palandoken Ski Lodge 15 km from the city center. The weather had been snow squalls and rain the previous 2 days but cleared this day and aside from daily afternoon thundershowers the weather for the trip was brilliant. This was probably the least interesting area we poked around in, but I'd have stayed just for the daily breakfast. I hope I have identified things correctly, please don't crucify me if somethings mislabeled. I think with the peas I may even have the wrong genera at times. PhilipAndrosace armeniaca var. macratha 1 copy.jpg
Arabis alpina
Barbarea minor
Caltha polypetala  and Primula auriculata
Caltha polypetala
Draba brunififolia scene alan and paul
Erysimum alpestre
Fritillaria armena scene palandoken
Gagae fibrosa 11
Palandoken ski lodge breakfast
Pedicularis caucasica
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea 
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea alba form
Ranunculus polyrhizos
Scilla siberica spp. armena Thlaspi sintenisii
Thlaspi sintenisii scene
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 08:14:33 PM
Pedicularis caucasica
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea 
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea
Pulsatilla violacea spp. violacea alba form
Ranunculus polyrhizos
Scilla siberica spp. armena Thlaspi sintenisii
Thlaspi sintenisii scene
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 11:24:34 PM
May 18 Palandokan to Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m , then back to Palandokan
 Rheum ribes 1.jpg
Rindera lanata.jpg
Salvia sp. maybe.jpg
Scilla siberica spp. armena field.jpg
Solenanthus stamineus 3.jpg
Toward Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m North of Erzurum 2.jpg
Tulipa armena 1.jpg
Tulipa armena 4.jpg
Viola arvensis 1.jpg
Viola sieheana 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 11:29:47 PM
May 18 Palandokan to Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m , then back to Palandokan


Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m 1.jpg
Ajuga orientalis 1.jpg
Alyssum aizoides.jpg
Bellevalia forniculata 5.jpg
Bellevalia forniculata.jpg
Bellevallia pycnantha 1.jpg
Caltha polypetala 3.jpg
Cerinthe glabra 1.jpg
Corydalis narniana.jpg
Daphne oleoides spp. kurdica 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 11:38:54 PM
May 18 Palandokan to Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m , then back to Palandoken

Draba bruniiflolia field.jpg
Draba bruniiflolia filed with Pulsatilla.jpg
Euphorbia denticulata.jpg
Fritillaria alburyana 2.jpg
Fritillaria alburyana 5.jpg
Frittilaria armena 1.jpg
Gagea glacialis and Corydalis nariniana 1.jpg
Gagea glacialis and Frittilaria armena   2.jpg
Gagea glacialis.jpg
Globularia trichosantha.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 09, 2012, 11:51:22 PM
May 18 Palandokan to Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m , then back to Palandoken

Iberis taurica 2.jpg
Iris reticulata.jpg
Jurinella moschus ssp. pinnatisecta 2.jpg
Jurinella moschus ssp. pinnatisecta 6.jpg
Nonea pulla 1.jpg
Primula elatior 2.jpg
Pulsatilla and draba bruniifolia Agrazh Gecidi , 2300 m North of Erzurum.jpg
Ranunculus kochii field.jpg
Ranunculus kochii.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 10, 2012, 12:14:08 AM
May 19 Palandoken to Agri via e80 route, Sac gecidi 2200 m
we were excited to see the Iris, then started seeing it everywhere, bit of a weed, really.
Yet another castle, on route to Agri  7.jpg
Apiaceae unknown.jpg
Astragalus angustiflorus 1.jpg
Bellevalia .jpg
Bungea trifida 12.jpg
Dactylorhiza umbrosa.jpg
Ephedra major 1.jpg
Ferula orientalis.jpg
Hedysarum perhaps elegans.jpg
Iris iberica spp. elagantissima along the Euphrates River 10.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 10, 2012, 12:19:22 AM
May 19 Palandoken to Agri via e80 route, Sac gecidi 2200 m

Lamium album.jpg
Muscari armeniacum 11 13.jpg
Muscari caucasicum 1.jpg
Nonea macrosperma 1.jpg
Nonea macrosperma 6.jpg
Nonea pulla 8.jpg
Old Bridge along Euphrates River,on route to Agri  1.jpg
Ornithogalum umbellatum 1.jpg
Primula auriculata 1.jpg
Primula auriculata 5.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 10, 2012, 12:27:33 AM
May 19 Palandoken to Agri via e80 route, Sac gecidi 2200 m

Rheum sp..jpg
Salvia nemorosa 2.jpg
Salvia spinosa 7.jpg
Saxifraga siberica 3.jpg
Schrophularia  ilwensis.jpg
Scrophularia chrysantha.jpg
 Bellevalia pycnantha and Barbarea minor
Thlaspi bornmuelleri.jpg
Unknown.jpg
Veronica multifida 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Pauli on January 10, 2012, 05:37:49 AM
Super!
Please more :P
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2012, 11:32:57 AM
We are enjoying this trip very much... great range of plants.
Not too sure about the breakfast  :-\ ... but you can't have everything!!

Thanks, Philip  8)
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Maggi Young on January 10, 2012, 11:42:43 AM
That Fritllaria alburyana (that seems to think it is a tulip  ;) ) in reply no 4 ....
http://www.srgc.org.uk/forum/index.php?topic=8344.msg225402#msg225402 ....
is a stunner... WHAT A COLOUR!!  8) 8) 8)

Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 02:13:11 AM
From Agri past Cavustepe fortress and necropolis, ending in Baskal

Adonis aestivalis 4.jpg
Alyssum ochroleucum.jpg
Asteraceae unknown 1.jpg
Astragalus angustiflorus 5.jpg
Caccinia macranthera 1.jpg
Corydalis nariniana 1.jpg
Eremostachys moluccelloides 1.jpg
Dactylorhiza osmanica 1.jpg
Euphorbia heteradena.jpg
Geranium tuberosum 3.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 02:17:12 AM
From Agri past Cavustepe fortress and necropolis, ending in Baskal

Onosma species 2.jpg
Ornithogalum alpigenum.jpg
Paul and iris.jpg
Pushkinia scilloides 4.jpg
Ranunculus dissectus.jpg
Rheum ribes.jpg
Scorzonera phaeopappa 1.jpg
Scorzonera sublanata 1.jpg
Stachys lavandulifolia 1.jpg
Tulipa humilis 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 02:26:55 AM
From Agri past Cavustepe fortress and necropolis, ending in Baskal

Adonis aestivalis 4.jpg
Alyssum ochroleucum.jpg
Asteraceae unknown 1.jpg
Astragalus angustiflorus 5.jpg
Caccinia macranthera 1.jpg
Corydalis nariniana 1.jpg
Dactylorhiza osmanica 1.jpg
Eremostachys moluccelloides 1.jpg
Euphorbia heteradena.jpg
Geranium tuberosum 3.jpg
Gladiolus atroviolaceus 2.jpg
Hedysarum elegans and Hesperis cappadocica.jpg
Hosap Kalesi, castle on  route to Baskal 4.jpg
Iris persica.jpg
Iris sprengeri 4.jpg
Ixiolirion tataricum.MP4
Kepbaps, what a surprize.jpg
Linum triflorum 2.jpg
Merendera trigyna 2.jpg     these is previous posts .



Onobrychis cornuta.jpg
Onosma species 2.jpg
Ornithogalum alpigenum.jpg
Paul and iris.jpg
Pushkinia scilloides 4.jpg
Ranunculus dissectus.jpg
Rheum ribes.jpg
Scorzonera phaeopappa 1.jpg
Scorzonera sublanata 1.jpg
Stachys lavandulifolia 1.jpg
Tulipa humilis 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Otto Fauser on January 11, 2012, 04:45:05 AM
Philip ,I am enjoying your trip through Eastern Turkey very much , I think your photo of Iris sprengeri is actually of I. paradoxa f. choschab .s
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Anthony Darby on January 11, 2012, 09:33:57 AM
My children used to think the döner, as seen rotating in the background of your kebab pic, was an elephant's leg.
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Brian Ellis on January 11, 2012, 05:55:35 PM
Some lovely plants there Philip, we don't mind waiting for the pictures ;) I like the Nonea pulla, it's a lovely dark colour, but those pulsatilla and Iris, wow.  Thanks for showing us I hope there are some more ;D
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 07:05:15 PM
May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van

Fritillaria crassifolia spp. kurdica 1.jpg
Fritillaria minuta.jpg
Gentiana olivieri.jpg
Grundelia tournefortia 1.jpg
Hedysarum hedysaroides 1.jpg
Iris paradoxa forma choschab  6.jpg
Iris paradoxa forma choschab 10.jpg
Ixiolirion.jpg
Papaver arenarium 2.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 07:18:24 PM
Our route to Hakari put us in the middle of a 200 plus convoy of army trucks. We were in Turkey during a national election. Unknown to us the president was speaking here the next day, in the heart of PK nationalist territory. I'll not soon forget the number of machine guns I saw that day. There were snipers on every hill. The city was shuttered. We turned tail from one of the most interesting and least explored botanical areas of Eastern Turkey.
May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Philip MacDougall on January 11, 2012, 07:24:00 PM
May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van

 Papaver fugax.jpg
Salvia multicaulis.jpg
Shepards.jpg
Tortoise 1.jpg
Tulipa humilis white.jpg
Veronica microcarpa   2.jpg
Viola modesta 1.jpg

 and per the previous

 Acer sempervirens 2.jpg
Adonis cf. wolgensis/vernalis 1.jpg
Aethionema grandiflorum 1.jpg
Allium akaka 2.jpg
Arabis alpina.jpg
Astragalus caraganae 1.jpg
Atraphaxis billardieri.jpg
Bellevalia paradoxa field 1.jpg
Centauria urvillea.jpg
Ferula orientalis 1.jpg
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 11, 2012, 08:22:17 PM
I have to go back to the beginning and really look at everything again because the moment I spotted Rheum ribes I had to tear out and start digging among long grass. I had (hope still have) 4 plants from JCA seed, and they've survived maybe 6 or 7 years in a dry place but I don't recall seeing them this year. I remember the Phillips and Rix book said they are long lived in dry situations. I haven't found them for the moment but Oh God! PLEASE let them still be there!

Maggi it wouldn't be my favourite breakfast either but isn't it interesting that the picture with food in it is the one viewed most times? ;D

What a fantastic trip guys. Thanks so much for sharing it here. Amazing what can be seen on the side of the road!
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Maggi Young on January 11, 2012, 10:13:38 PM

Maggi it wouldn't be my favourite breakfast either but isn't it interesting that the picture with food in it is the one viewed most times? ;D



No surprise, Lesley... the most viewed photos are always those with people and or food. It shows the popularity of the forum as a meeting place for members that is every bit as important as it being a plant resource - it was built by people for people - it just so happens the people are  very interested in plants, but first and foremost , it's a community!  :)


What a fantastic trip guys. Thanks so much for sharing it here. Amazing what can be seen on the side of the road!
I was just thinking its amazing what we can  see from our chairs!  8)
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Tony Willis on January 11, 2012, 11:34:39 PM
What a wonderful series of pictures,they bring back a lot of good memories. When I was in Van the Vice President was visiting,there was an interesting assortment of guns on show.

Lesley when I found Rheum ribes it was in very moist situations.
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Lesley Cox on January 12, 2012, 05:58:07 AM
Mmmm. I still haven't found mine yet. That's not to say they're not there, there are a lot of weeds but the place is exceedingly dry so they may have gone the way of many another special plant in our east coast drought years. I'll do a really good watering in the general area and if they're still alive maybe a new leaf will come through.
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Hans A. on January 12, 2012, 09:10:25 AM
Thank you very much for sharing this fantastic pictures Philip, it is a joy to see all this palnt in their natural habitat!  

Philip ,I am enjoying your trip through Eastern Turkey very much , I think your photo of Iris sprengeri is actually of I. paradoxa f. choschab .s

I agree with Otto, also think the plant labeled as 'Iris persica' is Iris caucasica. Iris persica has narrower and smaller leaves in proportion to the flower - also coloration is typical for Iris caucasica.
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Natalia on January 12, 2012, 04:26:05 PM
Philip, thank you for the most interesting photos! What successful trip!
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: Janis Ruksans on January 22, 2012, 06:19:19 AM
It is the first time when I'm looking in chapter about travels and really was surprised by so fantastic entries. Here I weas really schocked by beauty of white humilis. This one really looks fantastic! Far better than grown by me. Just for its greenish appearence. Liked purple alburyana, too. I have same from may be the same locality. Looks very special comparing with other alburyana's.
Janis
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: ranunculus on January 22, 2012, 06:38:15 AM
An amazing trip beautifully photographed. Many thanks.
Title: Re: Eastern Turkey, May 2011
Post by: cohan on February 16, 2012, 12:02:02 AM
Wow-- some really richly florally blessed landscapes ! Great stuff, thanks for sharing!
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