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.

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 Agean)
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 Cyclades and Skyros)
Onopordum aculescens (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)

AMORGOS

A mountainous, elongated island with plenty of cliffs and undeveloped upland areas. 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

Unidentified Centaurea sp.: 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

ANAFI

A small, arid, almost treeless island east of Santorini, with a flora linked to that of Crete. 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)
Cynara cornigera
Fibigia lunarioides (endemic Cyclades (Anafi, Folegandros), Crete, Rhodes and Halki)
Hirtellina fruticosa (Stahelina fruticosa; endemic Cyclades, Crete, Karpathos and Symi)
Silene gigantea subsp. gigantea
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:

ANDROS

Probably the Cycladic island with the most extensive flora, due in part to its 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 gortynia
Ornithogalum atticum
Paeonia mascula subsp. hellenica
Silene pentelica
Verbascum daenzeri
Veronica glauca subsp. peloponnesiaca
Viola sieheana

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Acer sempervirens: Dipotamata, 21 May 2006

Campanula sartorii: Paleopoli, 20 May 2006

Centaurea spruneri: Batsi, 26 May 2008

Trifolium purpureum: Batsi, 23 May 2006

FOLEGANDROS

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, 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

IOS

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

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 and Nigella degenii.

Lilium candidum: Iraklia, 22 May 2007

Path to Agios Georgios cave, Iraklia, 22 May 2007

KIMOLOS

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: 10 May 2006

KYTHNOS

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

MILOS

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

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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

NAXOS

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
Origanum dubium
Ranunculus creticus
Ranunculus thasius
Scutellaria naxensis (probably to be included in S. albida)
Silene compacta
Tordylium aegaeum
Tordylium hirtocarpum

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Cionura erecta: Flerio, 10 June 2007

Nigella degenii subsp. degenii: 9 June 2007, Mt Zas

SANTORINI

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
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

SERIFOS

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

SIFNOS

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 campylopoda: 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

SIKINOS

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)

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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

SYROS

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)

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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

Lance Chilton and Marengo 2010

Marengo, 17 Bernard Crescent, Hunstanton PE36 6ER, England