Botanical

In ancient times Crete was densely wooded and rank. Today, because of destruction by climate and soil but also by forces of nature and conqueror which suffered the island over the centuries, the growth of climate and soil, has declined.
The diversity of species of plants should be still considerable; reportedly estimates approximately 2,000 plants still grow in Crete, 160 types of them (mainly herbs) are endemic (occur only in Crete). Rare plants are primarily found in canyons and isolated mountain slopes, once in a while also along the coast and on the plateaus.

The illustration shows a “Queen of the night” (Holocereus undatus) in the morning after night flower. The approx. 2 m high Cactus can be found in savaged form (very rarely).

Leaflets

Orchids of Crete:
An 18-piece leaflet series describes 61 of 65 Orchids species occurring on Crete; the particular leaflets (Part 1 - 18) can be found here: Orchids of Crete - Part 1 - 18

 

 

082-05/E - Crete's climate and vegetation 085-05/E - Crete’s vegetation on the peninsula of Akrotiri

 

128-05/E - The Olive Tree

 

155-06(E - Cretan Date Palm
(Phoenix theophrastii)

 

330-10/E - The Blue Jacaranda
(Jacaranda mimosifolia) 334-10/E - Bird of paradise
(Caesalpinia gilliesii) 336-10/E - A potrait of bananas
(Musa L.) 345-10/E - Okra
(Abelmoschus esculentus) 350-11/E - Sourgrass
(Oxalis pes-caprae)

 

 

Please see 2nd Page of the leaflet
for the individual topic

008-04/E - Agave
(Agave americana) 009-04/E - Ebony wood bush
(Cretica ebebus) 012-04/E - Leek
(Allium communatum) 023-04/E - Prickly Pear
(Opuntia ssp.) 024-04/E - St. John's bread
(Ceratonia siliqua) 026-04/E - Cretan Dittany / Erodas
(Oreganum dictamnus) 030-04/E - Mediterranean Cypress
(Cupressus sempervirens) 041-04/E - Sea squill / sea onion
(Urginea maritima) 044-04/E - Pomegranate
(Punica granatum) 047-04/E - Chestnuts
(Kastanea sativa) 056-04/E - Fig tree (Ficus carica)
Kermes Oak (Quercus coccifera) 063-05/E - Blackberry
(Rubus fructicosus) 068-05/E - Friar’s Cowl
(Arisarum vulgare) 073-05/E - Orange (Citrus sinensis) / Lemon (Citrus limon) 076-05/E - Firethorn (Pyracantha) /
Willow-leafed pear (Pyrus) 191-06/E - Artichoke
(Cynara scolymus)

 
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