Marengo
Flowers of the Cyclades
This page has an island-by-island description of what to look for, plus photos of some of the flowers.
For a picture-only version see Pictures of flowers of the Cyclades.
On this page: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Folegandros, Ios, Iraklia, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Naxos, Paros, Santorini, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros
Although most of the Cycladic islands have a rather restricted range of habitats and a rainfall deficit, there are a number of interesting plant species to be seen, particularly by the very early season visitor. The more localized species are listed under individual islands below, but the following are mostly more widely distributed in the islands:
- Allium luteolum (endemic Cyclades)
- Campanula calaminthifolia (endemic Cyclades and Ikaria)
- Campanula heterophylla (endemic Cyclades)
- Centaurea laconica subsp. lineariloba (endemic Cyclades)
- Crocus tournefortii (endemic Aegean)
- Dianthus cinnamomeus (endemic Cyclades and Kasos)
- Dianthus fruticosus subsp. fruticosus (endemic Cyclades)
- Eryngium amorginum (endemic Cyclades and E Crete)
- Erysimum senoneri subsp. senoneri (endemic Cyclades, Evia, Skyros)
- Fritillaria ehrhartii (endemic N Cyclades and Evia)
- Hymenonema graecum (endemic Cyclades and W Crete)
- Limonium ramosissimum subsp. doerfleri (endemic Cyclades)
- Muscari pulchellum subsp. clepsydroides (endemic Kea, Kythnos, Naxos, Paros and ? Skyros)
- Onopordum caulescens (endemic Cyclades)
- Ophrys ceto (Cyclades, Kythira)
- Ophrys thesei (endemic Cyclades)
- Origanum calcaratum (endemic Cyclades, E Crete and Halki)
- Pimpinella pretenderis (endemic Cyclades and Karpathos)
- Scaligeria halophila (endemic Cyclades and Crete)
- Scorzonera araneosa (endemic Cyclades)
- Seseli gummiferum subsp. crithmifolium (endemic Cyclades, E Crete, Karpathos, Rhodes)
- Symphytum insulare (endemic Cyclades and Karpathos)
- Tordylium hirtocarpum (endemic Aegean and Turkey).
Even concreted-over Mykonos has one speciality, Hypecoum procumbens subsp. fragrantissimum (endemic to Mykonos and nearby Rinia)
A mountainous, elongated island with plenty of cliffs and undeveloped upland areas. Some of the best chasmophytes grow on the huge cliffs near the famous Panagia Hozoviotissa monastery.
Plants of interest include: - Allium luteolum (endemic Cyclades)
- Asperula abbreviata (endemic Amorgos, Naxos and Evia)
- Astragalus spruneri
- Campanula amorgina (endemic Amorgos and Sikinos)
- Centaurea atropurpurea (includes C. oliveriana)
- Cephalaria squamiflora subsp. squamiflora (endemic Amorgos, Crete, Ikaria and Karpathos)
- Dianthus fruticosus subsp. amorginus (endemic SE and C Cyclades, NE Crete)
- Eryngium amorginum (endemic Cyclades and E Crete)
- Erysimum senoneri subsp. amorginum (endemic Amorgos)
- Galium amorginum (endemic Amorgos, Folegandros, Karpathos and Keros)
- Helichrysum amorginum (endemic Amorgos, Andros and Keros)
- Jacobaea maritima subsp. bicolor (Senecio bicolor)
- Origanum calcaratum (endemic Cyclades, E Crete and Halki)
- Symphytum davisii (endemic Amorgos)
- Verbascum adeliae (endemic Amorgos and Naxos).
Look out too for the yellow-flowered Muscari macrocarpum and Ophrys aeoli.
Allium amethystinum: Panagia Panohoriani, 25 May 2007
Campanula amorgina (the creeping plant to the right): Langada, 25 May 2007
Unconfirmed Centaurea ? atropurpurea: Langada, 25 May 2007
Helichrysum amorginum (grey leaves, white flowers): Hozoviotissa, 27 May 2007
Helichrysum orientale: Langada, 25 May 2007
Origanum calcaratum: Langada, 25 May 2007
Origanum calcaratum: Langada, 25 May 2007
Papaver dubium subsp. lecoqii: above Langada, 25 May 2007
Seseli gummiferum subsp. crithmifolium: Langada, 25 May 2007
A small, arid, almost treeless island east of Santorini, with a flora linked to that of Crete. The most dramatic scenery is at the eastern end with the monolithic Mt Kalamos. Erysimum candicum subsp. candicum is endemic to Anafi and Crete. Other species of interest include:
- Allium luteolum (endemic Cyclades)
- Anthyllis splendens (endemic Cyclades and E. Crete)
- Campanula laciniata (endemic Anafi, Folegandros, Crete, Karpathos, Astipalaia)
- Colchicum cupanii subsp. cupanii
- Crocus cartwrightianus (endemic Anafi, W. Crete, Santorini and Attiki)
- Cynara cornigera
- Fibigia lunarioides (endemic Cyclades (Anafi, Folegandros), Crete, Rhodes and Halki)
- Hirtellina fruticosa (Staehelina fruticosa; endemic Cyclades, Crete, Karpathos and Symi)
- Muscari commutatum
- Ophrys ferrum-equinum var. anafiensis (? endemic Anafi)
- Phoenix theophrasti (endemic Anafi, Crete and SW. Turkey)
- Reseda odorata
- Sedum litoreum var. creticum (endemic Anafi, Crete and Kasos)
- Silene gigantea subsp. gigantea
- Sternbergia greuteriana (endemic Anafi, Crete and Karpathos)
- Teucrium brevifolium
- Tordylium hirtocarpum (endemic Aegean and Turkey).
Nigella degenii subsp. minor is only known from one specimen, from Pahia island, south of Anafi.
Asparagus stipulifolius (A. horridus):
Thymelaea tartonraira:
Probably the Cycladic island with the most extensive flora, due in part to its relatively close proximity to the mainland, its schistose geology, and its higher rainfall and humidity. The woodland area around Arni is of particular botanical interest and the only Cycladean site for several species.
Local specialities include: - Campanula sartorii (endemic Andros and Tinos)
- Ferulago sartorii (? endemic Andros)
- Corydalis thasia (endemic Andros and Thasos)
- Helichrysum amorginum (endemic Amorgos, Andros and Keros)
- Malcolmia macrocalyx subsp. scyria (endemic Andros, Evia and Skiros)
- Nigella degenii subsp. barbro (endemic N. Cyclades
- Scilla andria (endemic Andros, Milos and Naxos).
Other plants of interest include: - Campanula reiseri
- Centaurea laconica subsp. lineariloba
- Crocus sieberi subsp. atticus
- Galanthus ikariae
- Galium melanantherum
- Hypericum delphicum
- Hypericum hircinum subsp. albimontanum
- Isoetes duriei
- Isoetes histrix
- Ophrys andria
- Ophrys gortynia
- Ornithogalum atticum
- Paeonia mascula subsp. hellenica
- Silene pentelica
- Verbascum daenzeri
- Veronica glauca subsp. peloponnesiaca
- Viola sieheana
.
Orthopterists might like to look out for the impressively large bush-cricket, Bradyporus macrogaster.
Acer sempervirens: Dipotamata, 21 May 2006
Campanula sartorii: Paleopoli, 20 May 2006
Centaurea spruneri: Batsi, 26 May 2008
Trifolium purpureum: Batsi, 23 May 2006
The main habitat of botanical interest on this small island are the large and vertiginous cliffs below and near Hora. Plants to look for include: - Anthyllis splendens (endemic Cyclades and E. Crete)
- Dianthus fruticosus subsp. fruticosus (endemic Cyclades)
- Fibigia lunarioides (endemic Cyclades (Anafi, Folegandros) Crete, Rhodes and Halki)
- Galium amorginum (endemic Amorgos, Folegandros, Karpathos and Keros)
- Pimpinella pretenderis (endemic Cyclades and Karpathos).
The island has several interesting Campanula species, including C. heterophylla, the large-flowered C. laciniata and possibly C. anchusiflora. Look out also for Bellevalia hyacinthoides and Jacobaea maritima subsp. bicolor (Senecio bicolor).
Campanula heterophylla: Hora, 5 September 2006
Campanula laciniata: Hora, 15 May 2009
Fibigia lunarioides: Hora, 6 September 2006
Erysimum senoneri subsp. senoneri: flowering in UK cultivation, January 2009
For accommodation in Folegandros we recommend the Aegeo Hotel
With a reputation as the young person's party island, the interior of the island of Ios in spring can come as a revelation. The main population is concentrated in a small corner of the island within a few km of the harbour, leaving much of the mountainous interior, east and north almost entirely undeveloped.
Centaurium pulchellum: Paleokastro, 9 May 2009
Teucrium brevifolium: Paleokastro, 9 May 2009
Teucrium divaricatum: "Homer's Tomb", 9 May 2009
Iraklia is probably the most botanically interesting of the Lesser Cyclades (Donousa, Iraklia, Keros, Koufonisi, Skhinousa), with a hilly southern half. Look out for Dianthus cinnamomeus subsp. cinnamomeus, Nigella degenii and the recently named Ophrys heracleotica.
Lilium candidum: Iraklia, 22 May 2007
Path to Agios Georgios cave, Iraklia, 22 May 2007
A small island with few trees, but an interior with large areas of abandoned cultivation and a good range of general Cycladean flora accessible on ancient stone paths.
Ophrys cornuta s.l.: 10 May 2006
An arid island, but with good areas of xerophytic vegetation in the interior, particularly between Hora and Dryopida. An early spring speciality is Fritillaria obliqua subsp. tuntasia (endemic Kythnos and Serifos).Look out too for - Anthyllis splendens (endemic Cyclades and E. Crete)
- Centaurea laconica subsp. lineariloba
- Delphinium hirschfeldianum
- Muscari pulchellum subsp. clepsydroides (endemic Cyclades and Skyros)
- Onopordum sibthorpianum (endemic Cyclades and Skyros)
- Silene pentelica.
The attractive Silene cythnia is named after the island, and is endemic to the Cyclades and nearby Ikaria and Psara.
Centaurea spinosa: 2 June 2007, Hora
Limoniastrum monopetalum: Kanala, 2 June 2007
Quite large areas of the landscape have been given over to opencast mining and quarrying of this volcanic island's rare and valuable minerals, but pockets of some botanical interest remain around the coast. Look out for - Allium pilosum (endemic Aegean)
- Astragalus spruneri
- Illecebrum verticillatum
- Scilla andria (endemic Milos, Andros and Naxos)
- Silene discolor
.
Anchusa undulata subsp. hybrida (pink form): Hivadolimni, 15 May 2006
Cardopatium corymbosum: Pollonia, 7 June 2008
Phragmites frutescens (the grass): Hivadolimni, 15 May 2006
Silene sartorii: Hivadolimni, 15 May 2006
A large island with a good variety of habitats, including 1001m Mt Zas, the highest summit in the Cyclades. Plants of interest include:
- Anchusa undulata subsp. sartorii (endemic Cyclades (Naxos, Tinos, Paros) and Sterea Ellada)
- Asperula abbreviata (endemic Amorgos, Naxos and Evia)
- Bupleurum aira (endemic Naxos)
- Cerastium runemarkii (endemic Naxos and S. Evia)
- Crepis hellenica subsp. insularis (endemic Naxos, Paros and Skyros)
- Dianthus cinnamomeus subsp. cinnamomeus (endemic Cyclades (Iraklia, Naxos), Astipalaia, Kasos)
- Dianthus cinnamomeus subsp. naxensis (endemic Naxos)
- Erysimum naxense (endemic Naxos)
- Ophrys andria
- Ophrys blitopertha
- Ophrys cretica subsp. beloniae
- Ophrys israelitica
- Ophrys thesei
- Ornithogalum dictaeum subsp. naxense (endemic Naxos)
- Scilla andria (endemic Naxos, Andros and Milos)
- Symphytum naxicola (endemic Naxos
- Verbascum adeliae (endemic Amorgos and Naxos).
Look out too for - Allium sphaerocephalon var. aegaeum
- Alyssum smyrnaeum
- Corydalis integra
- Galium conforme
- lamium garganicum subsp. striatum
- Muscari pulchellum subsp. clepsydroides (endemic Kea, Kythnos, Naxos, Paros and Skyros)
- Origanum dubium
- Ranunculus creticus
- Ranunculus thasius
- Scutellaria naxensis (probably to be included in S. albida)
- Silene compacta
- Tordylium aegaeum
- Tordylium hirtocarpum
.
Cionura erecta: Flerio, 10 June 2007
Nigella degenii subsp. degenii: 9 June 2007, Mt Zas
Look out for:
- Anthemis werneri subsp. werneri (endemic Aegean)
- Aristolochia parvifolia
- Asparagus stipularis (A. horridus)
- Bellevalia hyacinthoides
- Centaurea atropurpurea (includes C. oliveriana)
- Cressa eretica
- Erysimum hayekii (endemic Cyclades + E. Aegean Is.)
- Montia fontana subsp. amporitana
- Muscari cycladicum subsp. subsessilis
(endemic ? Cyclades)
- Muscari pulchellum subsp. clepsydroides (endemic Kea, Kythnos, Naxos, Paros and Skyros)
- Ophrys parosica
- Trifolium infamia-ponertii
.
Goniolimon sartori (endemic E. Greece + Kyklades) is found on islets around Paros and Andiparos, though not on the two main islands.
Not the most botanically exciting of islands, with most of the countryside given over to tourism or viticulture. However the volcanic islet of Nea Kameni, in the centre of the caldera, which formed between 1707 and 1950AD is of interest for its small flora of colonization represented by a handful of species of which the most abundant are- Rumex bucephalophorus (annual)
- Helichrysum italicum (subshrub)
On the main island, Thira, look out for
- Anthemis werneri
- Crocus cartwrightianus
- Galium recurvum
- Pimpinella pretenderis
- Ranunculus creticus
- Silene cythnia
Helichrysum italicum: Nea Kameni, 7 May 2009
Rumex bucephalophorus (the red-brown plants): Nea Kameni, 7 May 2009
A hilly island with attractive, hidden valleys and unexpected springs, although the water table appears to be dropping. The rocks and cliffs around Hora are one of the best sites for the Cyclades endemic Dianthus fruticosus subsp. fruticosus. An early spring speciality is Fritillaria obliqua subsp. tuntasia (endemic Serifos and Kythnos).
Centaurea raphanina: Hora, 7 May 2006
Centaurea spinosa: 8 May 2006
Cichorium spinosum: Livadi, 3 June 2008
Hymenonema graecum: 8 May 2006
Reseda alba: Panagia, 8 May 2006
Silene cythnia: 8 May 2006
Serifos: 8 May 2006
An island with numerous old stone-paved paths accessing attractive countryside, wildest in the west. Look out for Allium apolloniensis (endemic Sifnos) and Campanula celsii subsp. celsii.
Centaurea spruneri subsp guicciardii: 11 May 2006
Ephedra foeminaea: Artemonas, 13 May 2006
Lactuca tuberosa: 12 May 2006
Lonicera etrusca: Kastro to Faros path, 11 May 2006
Lupinus pilosus: Kastro to Faros path, 11 May 2006
Nepeta melissifolia: 13 May 2006
Folegandros' undeveloped neighbour and one of the quietest in the Cyclades, with several attractive paths through the empty western half of the island. Plants of interest include: - Campanula amorgina (endemic Sikinos and Amorgos
- Symphytum cycladense (endemic Sikinos)
.
Campanula amorgina: Agia Marina, 2 September 2006
Capparis orientalis: Alopronia, 10 May 2009
Linaria triphylla, flowering in UK cultivation, November 2009
Ruta chalepensis subsp. fumariifolia: Alopronia, 11 May 2009
Symphytum cycladense: Kafkares, 12 May 2009
A developed island, quite industrial around Ermoupoli and with plenty of urban sprawl around the coastal resorts, but nevertheless with a good coastal flora, particularly in the west and north, and between Azolimni and the airport. Plants of interest include: - Nigella degenii subsp. jenny (endemic Syros)
.
Anacamptis sancta: Azolimni, 5 May 2006
Carlina lanata: Agios Stefanos, Galissas, 29 May 2008
Convolvulus oleifolius: north of Azolimni, 5 May 2006
Hymenonema graecum: Kini, 6 May 2006
On this page: Amorgos, Anafi, Andros, Folegandros, Ios, Iraklia, Kimolos, Kythnos, Milos, Naxos, Santorini, Serifos, Sifnos, Sikinos, Syros
Lance Chilton and Marengo 2013
Marengo, 17 Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton PE36 6ER, England