FLORA OF THE PELOPONNESE

Text and research by Nikos Aivalis, translation by Eva Trombetas

In a previous article, we had mentioned some characteristic fauna species of the Peloponnese. In this article we will make a tribute to the flora of the Peloponnese, to some important and special species. Greece is one of the most blessed places worldwide, as it has in its arms innumerable herbs and healing plants, endemic plants and unique varieties of flowers, which compose an earthly paradise, from which the Peloponnese clearly could not be absent.

We start from a small and miraculous yellow flower, called spathochorto (spathi = sword, chorto = grass), (Hypericum perforatum), while in ancient Greece it was called "Hyperikon". A miracle of nature that we find almost all over the Peloponnese, is known from ancient Sparta, where the Spartans used spathochorto after the battles to heal their wounds. This wonderful flower has antidepressant, antiseptic, antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, astringent and healing properties, while from this plant is made the famous burdock oil, which is easy to prepare, as we only need a dark pot, olive oil and sedge. This Flower reaches one meter in height, is a herbaceous perennial plant and thrives in areas that have enough rains throughout the year.

spathochorto (Hypericum perforatum)

The next plant is agriopanses of Parnonas (Viola parnonia). It is an endemic plant of Parnonas, perennial herbaceous plant, grows in stony and rocky areas and at high altitudes (1600 meters). It has blue flowers, with white staining and dark lines, and blooms in spring to summer.

agriopanses of Parnonas (Viola parnonia)

Centaurea of Parnonas, (Centaurea athoa ssp. parnonia). Also endemic plant of Parnonas, has yellow flowers and blooms in Stony areas in summer.

centaurea of Parnonas (Centaurea athoa ssp. parnonia)

Next plant is centaurea of Laconia (Centaurea laconica). Endemic plant of the southern Peloponnese, poletes plant that reaches one meter height, grows in rocky areas and on roadsides, at altitudes above 100 meters, and blooms in spring.

centaurea of Laconia (Centaurea laconica)

Centaurea of Corinth (Centaurea corinthiaca), an endemic perennial plant of Corinth, is found in fields, vineyards, ravines and toadstools, blooms spring to summer and has rose-white flowers.

centaurea of Corinth (Centaurea corinthiaca)

Cyclamen of Peloponnese (Cyclamen repandum ssp. peloponnesiacum var. vividum). A beautiful flower of the south-eastern Peloponnese, which we find in stony areas, as well as in shady places. Its color is rosy to red and blooms in spring.

cyclamen of Peloponnese (Cyclamen repandum ssp. peloponnesiacum var. vividum)

Potentilla of Arcadia (Potentilla arcadiensis), an endemic flower of the Peloponnese, on the border between Laconia and Arcadia, a perennial plant, usually found up to 500 m. altitude in steep places, while it blooms in summer.

potentilla of Arcadia (Potentilla arcadiensis)

Ophrys of Taygetos (Ophrys taygetica), an endemic orchid discovered in 2010. It is usually found at altitudes above 900 meters, under fir trees or in clearings.

ophrys of Taygetos (Ophrys taygetica)

Ophrys of Argos (Ophrys argolica), an endemic species of orchid of the Peloponnese and central Greece, most commonly found in Argolida. We find it at an altitude of up to 1000 meters, in brushlands, shrubs and roadsides. It blooms in the spring.

ophrys of Argos (Ophrys argolica)

Tulip of Goulimyi (Tulipa goulimyi), an endemic flower of the southern Peloponnese, found in Elafonisos, Mani and Kythira. Perennial plant, reaches 30 cm in height and we find it among phrygana, at an altitude of up to 400 meters. It blooms in the spring.

tulip of Goulimyi (Tulipa goulimyi)

Scilla the Messinian (Scilla messeniaca), an endemic flower of Messinia, is found in mountainous, stony and wet areas, at an altitude of 100 to 300 meters. It blooms in the spring.

scilla the Messinian (Scilla messeniaca)

Flower of Moreas (Aurinia moreana), endemic species of the northern Peloponnese. We meet this plant mainly in Achaia, like the Panachaic mountain, in rocky soils.

flower of Moreas (Aurinia moreana)