[John J]

Another endemic that is restricted to the Troodos Range, Cephalorrhynchus cypricus, from 800 - 1,950 m. We found this single flower on a hillside that was in shade and so the soil still retained some moisture.

[John J]

This one took a bit of identifying. We could not recall ever having seen it either 'in the flesh' or in photos. We checked all our books on wild flowers in Cyprus and the Mediterranean, to no avail. Phone calls and emails during the course of yesterday brought us to the one book we'd omitted to look at, The Red Data Book of the Flora of Cyprus. There it was on page 312.
Orthurus heterocarpus (syn Geum heterocarpum) is not a Cyprus endemic but is restricted to the area around Chionistra (the highest peak in Cyprus) growing in the shade of Juniperus foetidissima and Pinus nigra subsp pallasiana forest at an altitude of 1,700 to 1,950 m. Its population is estimated at around 5,500 and its threat rating is VU (Vulnerable).

[John J]

Another Cyprus endemic, Onosma troodi (Troodos golden-drop) that is restricted to hillsides in the highest reaches of the Troodos Forest (1,500-1,950 m). We feel very fortunate to have stumbled on this single plant as they would appear to be diminishing in numbers.

[John J]

Arabis purpurea, another Cyprus endemic restricted to the Troodos Range (400 - 1,800 m).

[John J]

Nepeta troodi, another Cyprus endemic from the higher elevations of the Troodos Range (1,100 - 1,950 m).

[John J]

One more Cyprus endemic that is common in the Troodos Forest (1,200 - 1,700 m).

[John J]

Finally, not an endemic but a plant that grows in the area of Chionistra (900 - 1,950 m).

[John J]

Every November we check the area on the cliff top above the ancient city of Kourion, near the ruins of the Temple of Apollo Hylates (Apollo of the Woodland) for Narcissus serotinus. This November after almost a year without rain we found nothing. Following a few days of heavy rain last week we decided to take a look this morning and this is a small example of what we found.

[Alisdair]

That's very reassuring, John! When we were in Greece in November we expect to find N. obsoletus flowering as usual in our garden but there was absolutely no sign. Maybe they were simply waiting for some more serious rain, too.

[John J]

On our New Year's Day morning walk today we decided to take a look at the area around the Akrotiri Salt Lake, in particular the Fasouri Marsh Wetlands. The salt lake itself appears to be filling nicely, with several flocks of wading birds in the distance (unfortunately forgot to put the binos in the car). A large area of the wetlands has recently been enclosed by a sturdy pole fence, in an attempt to combat illegal fly-tipping, etc. Not much to be seen in the way of flowers as yet although the December rains have begun to bring forth new foliage. The sun shining through the massed groupings of Phragmites australis was a pleasant sight though.

[John J]

Not exactly a morning walk today but a resumption of our usual morning stroll around the property, something we have not been able to do for about a week due to the heavy rain, thunder storms and resulting waterlogged ground. Following the long, hot, dry summer, and autumn, winter has eventually arrived with a vengeance, as they say. Whilst assessing any possible damage I found that one or two plants have begun to take advantage of the conditions, especially the fact that the sun has reappeared, to attempt to flower. Below are just 3 of them that I snapped this morning.
Correa backhouseana
Cestrum roseum
Jasminum mesnyi
  

[John J]

Today's morning walk took me down to the Wetlands around the Akrotiri Salt Lake to see what impact the recent heavy rains have had on the area. Nothing spectacular to record botanically but looking inland towards the Troodos massif there's snow on the tops.

[John J]

Today's walk was an afternoon one, the Australian Open tennis has a lot to answer for! It was bright and sunny but with a chill breeze blowing. We didn't venture far therefore, just up onto the cliffs above the beach at Kourion, in the area near the ruins of the Ancient Greek Stadium. Not many flowers out as yet but I did get these pictures of Romulea tempskyana and Anemone coronaria.

[John J]

For a variety of reasons yesterday's walk turned into an afternoon one. A few days ago we had spotted a sign on the Kourion clifftop about a newly created Nature Walk so decided to give it a try. It was marked as 4km but as we progressed the sky began to look a little threatening and, with the number of photo stops and other distractions, time was passing so we turned at the halfway mark and returned to the car. Still that 4km had taken around an hour and a half. We'll do the other half another day when we have time for the full 8km.
The number of anemones we came across was amazing, whole swathes of them everywhere. The photos really don't do them justice.
In one spot we found a fairly close grouping of mandrakes, they were amazing, yuge. (Sorry!). The size can be seen compared to my wife's hand.
The others are Ecballium elaterium, Asphodelus aestivus, Fagonia cretica and what I think is Dianthus strictus but if it is then it's extremely early.

[John J]

Today's walk was more of a late morning/midday one. We decided to visit an area we hadn't been to for a while, Paramali. We parked the car under a flyover of the Limassol/Paphos highway intending to take a nearby rough dirt track only to find that it had been scraped and widened recently. The first photo shows some rather dusty plants that narrowly escaped the destruction. Basically all we found of any note were a few ancient olive trees, as in the next 3 photos.
Having abandoned our initial intention we headed for the ruins of Kourion where we have a friendly relationship with the custodians in the ticket office.
Here Romulea and Cyclamen were out in abundance, photos 5 & 6. As I was concentrating on getting photo 7 lined up (a rather unusual looking cyclamen) a snake appeared from under a pile of stones, shot between my feet and disappeared into a bush. I barely had time to register that it was black and therefore a Whip snake and non-venomous, and not before my heart rate had gone up a few notches.
Photo 8 is one of the earliest orchids to flower, Orchis collina. No. 9 is Bellis sylvestris no.10 showing its pink reverse side.