Just back from a week in Cyprus.

[Paul S]

Just back from a week in Cyprus - my third visit. We were based near Paphos but drove around a bit, mainly into the mountains. Scenery up there is simply jaw-dropping and there are wonderful plants, many of which are endemics.

Probably my pick of the places to visit is Cedar Valley - there is an endemic cedar, Cedrus brevifolia, that is found almost exclusively in one valley although measures are being taken to re-introduce it more widely. One of the nicest places I have ever visited - small parking area then a hike up to the top of the mountain along a decent forestry track.



Another mountain range, different rock, different plants - the Troodos mountains, specifically Mnt Olympos. Highest spot on the island - the actual peak is restricted but there are circular walks very high up. Snows every winter and people ski up there - old ski lifts all over the place. Some ancient black pines and even more ancient junipers - some reckoned to be 800 years old. This range is home to the endemic 'Aphrodite's Spurge' - Euphorbia veneris. Utterly charming little plant, like a miniature E. myrsinites but more colourful




But the plant of the trip for me was this astonishingly beautiful thistle. I'd seen it before, just basal rosettes, and assumed it was Onopordum acanthium, but when the rosette is fuller this is far superior. O. bracteatum.

[John P]

An island I would love to visit Paul. Hope you had a great time.
John

[MartinNicklin]

The Onopordum is stunning - like a giant snowflake.

[LostInJapan]

Looks like a fantastic trip. Usually when someone goes to an island they show endless photos of drinking on the beach, not ancient trees and endemic flowers in the mountains. Makes me smile to see such beautiful things still in the world. There are many such places left and we ought to be caring for them like our lives depended on it. I bet those woods must be jammed full of cyclamen. Did you see any?

[Paul S]

Yes, quite a lot of cyclamen although not in flower currently. Orchids, too - on one walk we saw a half a dozen different types of the 30-odd species on the island.

Away from the high peaks there were all the usual Mediterranean suspects - pine, olive, carob, lentisk, terebinth, oleander. It always amazes me to see the latter growing in streambeds despite being one of the most drought tolerant of plants. Still a lot of unspoilt nature overall with developments being mainly restricted to the coast.

[John P]

Paul I have been updating our links on the EPS. Its not Cyprus but I thought this may be of interest to you from a web-site in Crete.

CRETAN FLORA

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http://www.cretanflora.com/

John

[Paul S]

Thanks John. Timely - I've not been there before but planning a visit next spring.

[John P]

You are welcome Paul. I had a look to see if there was a similar site for Cyprus. I found this and will add it to our EPS listings.

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https://www.flora-of-cyprus.eu/

John

[Paul S]

Thanks John. I had found, as used, that one - very useful it was too in narrowing down a couple of IDs.