Mt. Hermon

[Oron Peri]

I had the opportunity to go this morning to the Syrian-Israeli border on Mt. Hermon, in order to see some bulbous plants in this isolated and highly tensed area.
As we approached the south eastern side of the mountain , the area of SW Syria  revealed to our eyes, just a few hundred meters in front of us.
We couldnt think of other things knowing of the atrocities hapaning daily not far from where we were standing.
I would really like to dedicate these images to  the people of Syria.

God please help them, as no one else seems to do anything about it.



Edit by maggi to enlarge picture

[Oron Peri]

The subalpine belt of Mt. Hermon is home to many  interesting plants, many are endemic to the Mt. Hermon/Anti-Lebanon  mountains.
For many other species this is the south most distribution.
Snow is melting fast, and plants born to flower in an amazing speed, as they have only few weeks before the hot baking sun will dry them out.
Temperature was 31c.
The area is mostly very rocky with serpentines.

[Oron Peri]

On our way, early in the morning we have disturbed a group of 40 wild Boars, that escaped, climbing easily the snow.

[Oron Peri]

Not an Azalea but Cerasus prostrata, a beautiful shrub, cascading on the rocks.

[Oron Peri]

A showy, common plant at these elevations: Alysum baumgatnerianum.

[ashley]

I would really like to dedicate these images to  the people of Syria.
God please help them, as no one else seems to do anything about it.

Yes I really hope that this agony ends soon.

Fascinating photographs Oron; thanks for sharing them.
A place like this brings the contradiction between the natural and human worlds into sharp focus.

[arillady]

Wonderful informative photos Oron. Yes it is a great pity how people are treating other people in Syria and other parts of the world. Distressing.

[Oron Peri]

Thanks Pat and Ashley.

One of the dominant 'Cushion plants" at these elevations is Onobrychis cornuta.
As it is very thorny it is often home to some bulbous plants that find good protection by growing in it.
It is a common plants of  high mountains in Syria and Lebanon.

[Oron Peri]

Many perennials are growing in the more open grounds, here is a small selection.

[Otto Fauser]

Oron ,lets hope the human misery in Syria ends soon .
  Cerasus prostrata is a stunning prostrate shrub - do you know if it is in cultivation in England/Europe ?

[fleurbleue]

So peaceful pictures near such atrocities...

[Oron Peri]

Otto,
Not sure if someone manages to grow it in cultivation.
Maybe some one from the forum can answer this question.

[Oron Peri]

In a mater of a day or two after snow melts, it is time for the first bulbous plants to appear.
Romulea nivalis and Gagea micranatha are the first, they really seem to chase the snow!, to follow by slightly slower Corydalis erdelii and Bellevalia hermonis.
While Crocus hermonis subsp hermonis and pallsii subsp pallasii had flowered last October they produce leaves and fruits only now, after almost 8 months!!.

[Tim Ingram]

Fascinating plants, especially the Onobrychis, I find all these small legumes so interesting. It does seem a world away from the conflict in Syria, but the region sadly has lived with this in one form or another for so long. Finding the fascination in your environment and teaching people about it must be so important.

[DaveM]

I can't help feeling completely helpless and yet angry when I hear of the way man continues to be so inhumane to his fellow man. We clearly haven't, as a species, learnt anything from (even recent) history. Your lovely pictures are an excellent dedication for peace for the Syrian people.

I really like the Cerasus, but that's also a really nice dark form of Onobrychis cornuta. I've just posted for comparison images in the thread "SRGC guided tour 2012", of a paler bicoloured form from the limestone mountains above Kemaliye in central Anatolia.