Significant Plant Communities Around Apartment and Local Area
By Dr.Roger Catchpole
Olive Grove Apartment offers an ideal base for exploring the natural history of the Messinian Mani in the Peloponnese. In the immediate area, some of the less intensively managed olive groves still support a diverse open scrub community, known as phrygana, which is specially adapted to local conditions. A list, as well as some photographs of plants that were in flower during early summer around the apartment can be found here (hyperlink).
Another particularly good example of phrygana can also be found a short car journey away on the terraces around Exochori. Swathes of peacock anemone (Anemone pavonia), white asphodel (Aspodelus alba) and the striking, large Mediterranean spurge (Euphorbia characias ssp wulfenii) clothe the terraces that flank the mountain road. Closer inspection reveals that the area provides a feast of orchids including sawfly orchid (Ophrys tenthredinifera), bumble bee orchid (Ophrys bombyliflora), yellow orchid (Ophrys lutea ssp melena) and Spruner’s orchid (Ophyrs spruneri).
Exochori forms part of a route that can be taken to the high alpine zone of Mt. Taigetos which, at 2404m, is the highest peak of the Peloponnese. The breathtaking scenery of this mountain can be explored with careful driving and an appropriate vehicle to a height of about 1500m. As the tree line begins to thin at about 1600m, it means that these alpine areas are within easy reach on foot given suitable clothing and footware.
An excellent example of coastal heath, that has formed on some abandoned olive groves, can also be found within easy walking distance of the apartment. A low shrubby layer is dominated by a profusion of white sun roses (Cistus salvifolius) with occasional pink sun roses (Cistus incanus). A diverse collection of other shrubs are also present which includes tree heather (Erica arborea), spiny burnet (Sarcopterium spinosum), holly oak (Quercus coccifera) and thyme (Coridothymus capitatus). An open tree layer is provided by the occasional olive (Olea europaea) and carob (Ceratonia siliqua) trees. Rarer species can be found in the more open areas which includes Eastern serapias (Serapias orientalis), Spruner’s orchid (Ophyrs spruneri) and man orchid (Aceras anthropophorum). Such areas also support an abundant vernal flora.
Recommended Reading: Traveller’s Nature Guides: Greece (Bob Gibbons, 2003).
Disclaimer: As the location and abundance of rare species in flower can vary considerably from year to year, the presence of specific flowering plants at a given location cannot be guaranteed. The owners accept no liability for any disappointment that this might cause.
