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

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) 128-05/E - The Olive Tree