Spring bulbs of Parnassos & the Peloponnese, March-April 2010

[Margaret Thorne]

We have just had 3 unexpected cancellations for our spring trip to southern Greece to look at bulbs and other spring flowering plants. So if anyone would like to join us at relatively short notice (it starts on 31st March and lasts for 15 days), please email us and we’ll send details, or phone AGS on 01386 554790. Last autumn was very wet throughout Greece and we therefore believe it will be a bumper year for bulbs. We have recce-ed the area on several occasions and here are some pictures we took last year at the same time.

Our first stop be at Sounion (not far south of Athens) where we expect to see Iris attica and we then travel to the Mani peninsula, stopping on the way for Fritillaria graeca ssp guicciardii, Anemone pavonina, A. blanda, Iris unguicularis, Hermodactylus tuberosus and a few introductory species of orchid.

Pictures: Fritillaria graeca x 2, Iris attica x 2, Iris unguicularis x 2, Hermodactylus tuberosus.

[Margaret Thorne]

Our comfortable Mani hotel is situated on an undisturbed sandy beach with Pancratium maritimum, Medicago marina, M.littoralis, Euphorbia paralias, Silene colorata, Asphodelus ramosus,  and Cistus salvifolius nearby. Endemics in this scenically beautiful area include Tulipa goulimyi, Fritillaria davisii and Teucrium brevifolium.

Pictures: Tulipa goulimyi x 2, Fritillaria davisii x 3 and Teucrium brevifolium.

[Margaret Thorne]

We shall find Cyclamen peloponnesiacum on woodland edges, both Cerinthe major and C. retorta, showy Astragalus lusitanicus, Gladiolus italicus, curious Aristolochia elongata, and perhaps some early Biarum tenuifolium or the last blooms of Romulea columnae.

Pictures: Cyclamen peloponnesiacum x 3, Astragalus lusitanicus, Aristolochia elongata, Biarum tenuifolium, Romulea columnae

[Margaret Thorne]

Among a fascinating range of orchids, some of the most colourful are Orchis papilionacea, O. pauciflora and Ophrys speculum. Other locally occurring Orchis species include O. quadripunctata and O. italica, and those which are sometimes included under Neotinea: N. lactea, and N. tridentata. Good displays are likely of Ophrys bombyliflora, O. spruneri, O. tenthredinifera, O. lutea, O. sicula and O. cornuta. We also hope to find the local endemic, Ophrys argolica and uncommon O. aesculapii. Some spikes of Himantoglossum robertianum, the Giant Orchid, will still be at their best and there will be plenty of opportunity to identify several species of Serapias.

Pictures: Orchis papilionaceae, O.italica, O.pauciflora, O.quadripunctata, Neotinea tridentata, N.lactea

[Margaret Thorne]

Pictures: Ophrys cornuta, O.tenthredinifera x 2, O.rheinholdii, O.speculum

[Margaret Thorne]

We will spend time on the Malea peninsula, visiting the impressive rock of Monemvasia and its well documented floral treasures which include Campanula andrewsii, Onosma frutescens, Procopiana cretica and Centranthus ruber. A nearby area of acid soils is characterised by Arbutus unedo, Erica arborea and Lavandula stoechas, with Dactylorhiza romana and Bellevalia dubia. 

Pictures: Campanula andrewsii hirsutula. Onosma frutescens, Centranthus ruber, Erica arborea, Dactylorhiza romana, Bellevalia dubia

[Margaret Thorne]

Roadside terraces have clumps of Ophrys lutea and O. iricolor, and Tulipa goulimyi growing with Anemone pavonina. We will cross a high mountain pass, where endemics Lithodora zahnii, Viola mercurii and Draba lasiocarpa grow with Aethionema saxatile.

Pictures: Ophrys lutea, O.iricolor x 2, Anemone pavonina x 3, Lithodora zahnii, Viola mercurii, Draba lasiocarpa, Aethionema saxatile

[Margaret Thorne]

Further north, we will find red Tulipa undulatifolia, orange T. orphanidea, Cyclamen peloponnesiacum ssp vividum, Fritillaria messanensis and Anemone blanda in blue and white forms.

Pictures: Tulipa undulatifolia, T.orphanidea x 2, Fritillaria messanensis x 2, Anemone blanda x 2

[Margaret Thorne]

Visits to the mountains will include the Taygetos, Chelmos and Parnassos for snow-melt plants including Crocus sieberi ssp sublimis, C. olivieri, and perhaps C. veluchensis (though it is difficult to find examples of the latter species which have not crossed with C. sieberi).

Pictures: Crocus sieberi sublimis x 5, C.olivieri x 2, C.veluchensis x 2

[Margaret Thorne]

Other snow-melt plants are Colchicum triphyllum, Scilla bifolia, Corydalis solida and Helleborus cyclophyllus. In nearby places, we hope to find Iris attica, in purple and yellow forms, the perfumed white flowers of Daphne jasminea, Tulipa australis, Romulea bulbocodium, Delphi speciality Campanula topaliana delphica and yellow flowered Leontice leontopetalum, with its curious inflated fruits.
We do hope some of you will join us to see all these and more.

Pictures: Colchicum triphyllum x 2, Scilla bifolia x 2, Corydalis solida, Helleborus cyclophyllus, Daphne jasminea, Romulea bulbocodium, Campanula topaliana delphica, Aubrieta deltoides

[cohan]

all i can say is wow! congrats to anyone who is going, and thanks for these photos!

[ranunculus]

Super images Margaret ... if we weren't off to the Gargano we would probably join you!  Many thanks for posting.

[Margaret Thorne]

Thanks, both. Hope you have a great time in the Gargano, Cliff, and I look forward to seeing your pictures from there.

[cycnich]

Pictures: Ophrys cornuta, O.tenthredinifera x 2, O.rheinholdii, O.speculum

2 stunning shots of O tenthredinifera, my favourite ophrys. Thank you.

[Luc Gilgemyn]

Verrrry tempting Margaret... if only..... I didn't have to go to work...