Greece is a hotspot of biodiversity. From its 3000-meter-high mountains to many islands with a long history of isolation, Greece has extremely diverse habitats, each with a very different local climate. These conditions favored the formation of new species: the islands of the Aegean are virtually the field laboratory of evolution. Particularly remarkable is the high number of plant species that are found exclusively in Greece and nowhere else in the world, namely 1278 or one in five. As part of the research for the checklist, many plant species were identified for the first time in Greece. Since extensive botanical studies have been done in Greece for decades, no one expected that there was still so much to discover. What is still missing is a comprehensive, modern work that documents the current state of knowledge about the Greek plant world in minute detail and offers instructions for identifying the plants by means of identification keys and illustrations. The new checklist is an important first step. The checklist already serves as the basis for compiling a "Red List" of endangered plant species and thus a long-awaited tool for the protection of biodiversity in Greece.

The tree-fossil, Jankaea heldreichii, from the glacial era presents great interest to the scientists. Due to the bold stark terrain, the close proximity to the sea and the creation of many micro-environments the vegetation, particularly on the east slopes, of Mount Olympus is characterised by a wide range of vegetation zones. Generally speaking there are four vegetation zones with many additional types of vegetation spanning from one to the other.

The first zone from 300 to 500 m includes mainly short bushes and trees such as the most common kinds of holm oak (Quercus ilex), Greek strawberry tree (Arbutus adrachnae),kermes oak (Quercus coccifera), strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo), cedar (Juniperus oxycedrus). There are also certain kinds of deciduous trees: flowering ash (Fraxinus ornus), Montpellier maple (Acer monspessulanum), Judas tree (Cercis siliquastrum), turpentine tree (Pistacia terebinthus), etc.

From 600 to 1400 m we have the second zone. The vegetation is mainly dominated by the European black pine (Pinus nigra var. Pallasiana), that forms massive clumps. In smaller groups appear: King Boris’s fir (Abies hybridogenus), beech tree (Facus moesiaca), few wych elm (Ulmus glabra), yew (Taxus baccata), wild cherry (Prunus cerasifera), hazel (Coryllus avellana), cornelian cherry (Cornus mas) and a significant selection of mossy plants. The ravines and the gullies are covered with oriental plane (Platanus orientalis), grey sallow (Salix cinerea), alder wood (Alnus glutinosa) and riparian vegetation.

From 1400 to 2500 m we have the cold-hardy conifers zone in which the conifers start to appear with the rare pine Pinus heldreichii being the most predominant. It appears from 1100 m, replaces the black pine gradually and creates an unmixed with any other trees forest up to 2000 m. In this particular zone we also have shrubs and grass plants, while the flora includes many endemic species of the Balkans.

Over 2500 m which is the highest forest limit in the Balkans there is no more forest just a variety of alpine ecosystems of low vegetation with many rare wild flowers of which the majority are native to the flora of Greece and the Balkans.

Among these are dictamo (Origanum dictamnus), the herb made famous by Hippocrates for its medicinal properties and is used by the locals today to make Dittany of Crete tea. Native only to the mountains of Crete it is considered a highly therapeutic plant and is reputed to be an aphrodisiac. Visit our sister site of Dittany of Crete for more on this magical plant.

It was named after the mountain Dikti, the reputed birthplace of Zeus where it grows wild. Other herbs are found growing wild throughout Crete and are used both in the Cretan Diet and for therapeutic reasons.

Another unusual and unique plant endemic to Crete is the evergreen Cretan Plane Tree (platanus orientalis, var. cretica). This large tree is often found in the village squares, offering shade to the locals. Although most plane trees are deciduous, this rare subspecies is evergreen and around 50 examples of its kind have been recorded on Crete. The most famous example of which, and highlighted in the Myths and Legends of Greek mythology, is the Plane Tree of Gortys. Zeus was said to have made love to Europa under this plane tree, which has kept its leaves green all through the winter ever since. The plane tree can be found at the rear of Gortys archaeological site.

The flowers of Crete are amazing in variety and grow abundantly throughout the Island. Wild Cretan flowers, among them rare orchids, many of which are endemic, add colour and sweet smelling scent all year round to this beautiful Greek Island.

See more about the Wild Flowers of Crete Springtime is the best time to see a massive array of beautiful flowers of Crete when the mountains, plains, woods and even seashores are covered with flowers. Words alone cannot describe the beauty of the flowers of Crete so we’ve included a few pictures for your enjoyment. To delve deeper into this fabulous subject To find out lots more about the wonderful wild flowers of Crete we can highly recommend the excellent, well written and informative hand book named Wild Flowers of Crete. It is expertly written and photographed by Vangelis Papiomitoglou. The text and images are a real boon to the explorer wanting to easily identify the many wild flowers of Crete. A crucial and affordable handbook for all nature lovers of the flora and fauna of Crete.

Visit Our Village Shop for more details about this book and others.

Kingdom: | Plantae
Clade: | Angiosperms
Clade: | Eudicots
Clade: | Asterids
Order: | Asterales
Family: | Asteraceae
Genus: | Matricaria
Species: | M. chamomilla

Binomial name
Matricaria chamomilla L.

Synonyms
Chamomilla chamomilla (L.)
Chamomilla recutita (L.)
Matricaria recutita L.
Matricaria suaveolens L.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Matricaria_chamomilla?fbclid=IwAR166GLvfv1hO41a9E4IVriwAEMUkiktiP_0UP5gpGIGm-vCFd8Mou2reto

Kingdom: | Plantae
Clade: | Angiosperms
Clade: | Eudicots
Clade: | Asterids
Order: | Lamiales
Family: | Lamiaceae
Genus: | Origanum
Species: | O. dictamnus

Binomial name
Origanum dictamnus L.

Synonyms

Cosmos was influenced by Humboldt's various travels and studies, but mainly by his journey throughout the Americas. As he wrote, “it was the discovery of America that planted the seed of the Cosmos.” Due to all of his experience in the field, Humboldt was preeminently qualified for the task to represent the universe in a single work. He had extensive knowledge of many fields of learning, varied experiences as a traveler, and the resources of the scientific and literary world at his disposal.

Cosmos was highly popular when it was released, with the first volume selling out in two months, and the work translated into most European languages. Although the natural sciences have diverged from the romantic perspective Humboldt presented in Cosmos, the work is still considered to be a substantial scientific and literary achievement, having influenced subsequent scientific progress and imparted a unifying perspective to the studies of science, nature, and mankind.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Cosmos_(Humboldt)

Ouzo is considered the national drink of Greece. In technical terms, ouzo is either produced by partial distillation or the admixture of plain alcohol with aromatic herbs. The best ouzos are of course the distilled ones with the main flavour being imparted by aniseed, though other aromatics are often added, such as masticha from Chios, cinnamon, cloves or fennel, depending on the brand. Each location prides itself on its ouzo but the most famous are from the island of Lesvos and from Tyrnavos in Thessaly.

Ouzo is ideally served chilled, with or without ice, though many add water which releases the essential oils from the aniseed, turning the drink cloudy and heightening the aromas. You should always add ice or water to already poured ouzo and not the other way around.

Though ouzo is delightful with many kinds of traditional Greek meze, like a good ladotyri from Zakynthos or Mytilini or a kopanisti from Mykonos or Tinos, it is best known for its compatibility with strong-flavoured seafood such as octopus or marinated anchovies. Spicy pickled peppers also go well.

Apart from ouzo, Greece is known for another pair of considerably stronger distilled local drinks, often confused with one another, raki and tsipouro. Frequently homemade, production peaks in the autumn after the grape-harvest with celebrations centred around the great distillation cauldrons.

Tsipouro is a traditional product that comes from mainland Greece while raki is from Crete. Both are made from grapes not destined for wine-making yet still capable of producing quality distilled spirits. The main differences between them are the degree of alcoholic content and the addition or not of aniseed, which is often added to tsipouro but never to raki.

Tsipouro with aniseed takes pride of place in the tsipouro bars of Volos where it accompanies traditional delicacies from the region and Thessaly in general. Drink it either chilled or with ice.

Potent raki is enjoyed by Cretans of all ages, usually in shot glasses either chilled or at room temperature. They tend to accompany it with traditional products of Crete like cheese, local preserved meats, roasts or whatever else arrives at table including traditional sweets and pies. No excuse is needed to pour a glass at any hour of the day or night.

Use it in traditional sweets, cookies, cream, cakes and sweet breads. Also use it in dishes of red meat, poultry, fish as well as marinades.

Use it: in rice, potatoes, pasta, white meat and seafood or in your coffee and tea.

In the Enquiry into Plants, Theophrastus classifies and describes varieties—covering trees, plants of particular regions, shrubs, herbaceous plants, and cereals; in the last of the nine books he focuses on plant juices and medicinal properties of herbs. The Loeb Classical Library edition is in two volumes; the second contains two additional treatises: On Odours and Weather Signs.

In De Causis Plantarum, Theophrastus turns to plant physiology. Books 1 and 2 are concerned with generation, sprouting, flowering and fruiting, and the effects of climate. In Books 3 and 4, Theophrastus studies cultivation and agricultural methods. In Books 5 and 6, he discusses plant breeding; diseases and other causes of death; and distinctive flavours and odours.

Theophrastus’s celebrated Characters is of a quite different nature. This collection of descriptive sketches is the earliest known character-writing and a striking reflection of contemporary life.

Though, fossil fuels have efficiently met our growing energy demands all these years, it's high time we start looking for alternative sources of energy. The rising fuel demands and the ever rising fuel prices have made the use of substitute energy forms inevitable.

The availability of energy in our current global framework relies extensively on the availability of fossil fuels: the oil, natural gas, and coal that together constitute 80 percent of global energy consumption.

Consumption of fossil fuels varies by region and by country. The biggest consumers are the United States, China, and the European Union, accounting for more than half of all fossil fuel consumption (see below). Coal, which is not easily transported long distances, accounts for a large percentage of consumption where it is locally available, while oil and natural gas can be consumed far from their source of extraction---in 2004, trade in fuels totaled US$715 billion worldwide (World Bank, World Development Indicators 2006).