Eastern Turkey, May 2011

[Otto Fauser]

Philip ,I am enjoying your trip through Eastern Turkey very much , I think your photo of Iris sprengeri is actually of I. paradoxa f. choschab .s

[Anthony Darby]

My children used to think the döner, as seen rotating in the background of your kebab pic, was an elephant's leg.

[Brian Ellis]

Some lovely plants there Philip, we don't mind waiting for the pictures I like the Nonea pulla, it's a lovely dark colour, but those pulsatilla and Iris, wow.  Thanks for showing us I hope there are some more

[Philip MacDougall]

May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van

Fritillaria crassifolia spp. kurdica 1.jpg
Fritillaria minuta.jpg
Gentiana olivieri.jpg
Grundelia tournefortia 1.jpg
Hedysarum hedysaroides 1.jpg
Iris paradoxa forma choschab  6.jpg
Iris paradoxa forma choschab 10.jpg
Ixiolirion.jpg
Papaver arenarium 2.jpg

[Philip MacDougall]

Our route to Hakari put us in the middle of a 200 plus convoy of army trucks. We were in Turkey during a national election. Unknown to us the president was speaking here the next day, in the heart of PK nationalist territory. I'll not soon forget the number of machine guns I saw that day. There were snipers on every hill. The city was shuttered. We turned tail from one of the most interesting and least explored botanical areas of Eastern Turkey.
May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van

[Philip MacDougall]

May 21 Baskal to Hakari, drive back through Baskal on to Lake Hotel outside of Van

 Papaver fugax.jpg
Salvia multicaulis.jpg
Shepards.jpg
Tortoise 1.jpg
Tulipa humilis white.jpg
Veronica microcarpa   2.jpg
Viola modesta 1.jpg

 and per the previous

 Acer sempervirens 2.jpg
Adonis cf. wolgensis/vernalis 1.jpg
Aethionema grandiflorum 1.jpg
Allium akaka 2.jpg
Arabis alpina.jpg
Astragalus caraganae 1.jpg
Atraphaxis billardieri.jpg
Bellevalia paradoxa field 1.jpg
Centauria urvillea.jpg
Ferula orientalis 1.jpg

[Lesley Cox]

I have to go back to the beginning and really look at everything again because the moment I spotted Rheum ribes I had to tear out and start digging among long grass. I had (hope still have) 4 plants from JCA seed, and they've survived maybe 6 or 7 years in a dry place but I don't recall seeing them this year. I remember the Phillips and Rix book said they are long lived in dry situations. I haven't found them for the moment but Oh God! PLEASE let them still be there!

Maggi it wouldn't be my favourite breakfast either but isn't it interesting that the picture with food in it is the one viewed most times?

What a fantastic trip guys. Thanks so much for sharing it here. Amazing what can be seen on the side of the road!

[Maggi Young]

Maggi it wouldn't be my favourite breakfast either but isn't it interesting that the picture with food in it is the one viewed most times?

No surprise, Lesley... the most viewed photos are always those with people and or food. It shows the popularity of the forum as a meeting place for members that is every bit as important as it being a plant resource - it was built by people for people - it just so happens the people are  very interested in plants, but first and foremost , it's a community!  

What a fantastic trip guys. Thanks so much for sharing it here. Amazing what can be seen on the side of the road!

I was just thinking its amazing what we can  see from our chairs! 

[Tony Willis]

What a wonderful series of pictures,they bring back a lot of good memories. When I was in Van the Vice President was visiting,there was an interesting assortment of guns on show.

Lesley when I found Rheum ribes it was in very moist situations.

[Lesley Cox]

Mmmm. I still haven't found mine yet. That's not to say they're not there, there are a lot of weeds but the place is exceedingly dry so they may have gone the way of many another special plant in our east coast drought years. I'll do a really good watering in the general area and if they're still alive maybe a new leaf will come through.

[Hans A.]

Thank you very much for sharing this fantastic pictures Philip, it is a joy to see all this palnt in their natural habitat!  

Philip ,I am enjoying your trip through Eastern Turkey very much , I think your photo of Iris sprengeri is actually of I. paradoxa f. choschab .s

I agree with Otto, also think the plant labeled as 'Iris persica' is Iris caucasica. Iris persica has narrower and smaller leaves in proportion to the flower - also coloration is typical for Iris caucasica.

[Natalia]

Philip, thank you for the most interesting photos! What successful trip!

[Janis Ruksans]

It is the first time when I'm looking in chapter about travels and really was surprised by so fantastic entries. Here I weas really schocked by beauty of white humilis. This one really looks fantastic! Far better than grown by me. Just for its greenish appearence. Liked purple alburyana, too. I have same from may be the same locality. Looks very special comparing with other alburyana's.
Janis

[ranunculus]

An amazing trip beautifully photographed. Many thanks.

[cohan]

Wow-- some really richly florally blessed landscapes ! Great stuff, thanks for sharing!