Crocus March in Greece

[Janis Ruksans]

We drive up and next stop is shortly before Granitis. It is higher and there are more Crocus alexandrii, but still dominates C. olivieri. There we found nice alexandrii with pure white flowers. At some spot were plenty of leaves without flowers, checking corm tunics it turns annulate crocus, so most likely it is chrysanthus which blooming was long ago.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

We took one of side roads to drive up in mountains, but still nothing changes, only some Helleborus sp. and nice Gagea are blooming here in addition to earlier seen crocuses. There are plenty of Marble mines and everywhere hill sides are cut opening glistening white stone and large lories are bringing down huge pieces of marble to cutting factories.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

We still have plenty of time, so after short discussion we decide to drive higher, may be to reach snow-zone. Start dark forests, it is not for crocuses but on roadsides appear remnants of snow. We almost turn back and then forests ends and… here it is. Crocus alexandrii is in full bloom. If at lover altitudes were mostly whitish forms, here dominates purple ones. On other side are huge yellow spots - it is Crocus chrysanthus, blooming together with alexandrii. Here three entries from this spot to show more pictures.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Some more pictures of Crocus alexandrii.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

Most interesting that Crocus chrysanthus is growing on one side of road, alexandrii on other side and further from road again starts only chrysanthus, but there were one small spot where both species were growing together in mixed population and there they were - to specimens which flowers certainly confirm their hybrid origin. The first is very distinct hybrid, in the second presence of chrysanthus blood you can see only by yellow tips of petals.
Janis

[Hagen Engelmann]

A great tour Janis.
And a fine crocus world too.

[Janis Ruksans]

We saw everything desired and as we are in district where is plenty of caves - we decide to go to Aggitis cave. But water level in this time of year is far too high and cave is closed for visitors. On picture spot where Aggitis River comes out from hills bottom and you can see how river waters flow over pedestrian bridge. There is small church or praying house just near cave. At parking place are blooming Ornithogalums. After that we return to known hotel where we passed last night and take a lunch in same taverna. Next morning we are going to Vertiskos Mountains where I want to check how widely is distributed autumn blooming crocus which by flower looks very close to Crocus pallasii. We found that it is much more widespread on those mountains than supposed earlier - we found it at every stop maid there starting from Sochos up to Dhorkas at altitudes over 350 m. There are growing Crocus chrysanthus, too but we spotted only 2 flowers. It is too late for it at so low altitudes, but it was compensated by fantastic blooms of Romulea.
Janis

[Janis Ruksans]

And now my last entry about this trip - plants pictured on Vertiskos mountains. From Crocus pallasii you can see only leaves. It is very strange that it was noted in Greece flora only so late. In 2002 David Stephens published report about this crocus seen in central Macedonia (Crocus Group Bulletin #30). Their team followed footsteps of Neil Jacobsen who reported about small population of Crocus pallasii seen between Drama and Xanthi and between Serres and Thesalonikii. Later the same crocus was reported by Christopher Greenwell and Simon Silcock and I wrte about it last spring. In attachment one picture of its flower made in my collection just before started frost in December. It was so late that to force its blooming I brought pot inside.
Janis

[Tony Willis]

Janis

excellent report on your trip ,thank you. Some really good looking crocuses particularly the C.biflorus alexandri.

[ian mcenery]

Thank you Janis for an interesting report on your trip. It was almost like being there 

[I.S.]

  Janis,
Rally very nice and so interesting reports from Greece.  I am very happy that you have found that new one! It is very strange that, sea lavel plant start to flower later than mountains!. It might be because of they are too close to sea so they fell cool weather or some water coming from see over them in jenuary, february and this time of year area start to dry a little!

It is very nice to see C. alexandri from Greece. The pale forms are very simmilar to turkish form of but I never seen so dark form of this plant in my part. Neither looking around whole one day! But location was also very simmilar, with olivieri, oaks, calkstons.. ex...

[Armin]

Congratulation for the new crocus find and the exploratory travel report.

I'm impressed by the beauty of C. alexantrii. The high contrast of blue/violet and white in the best forms makes it very attractive. 
A pity cvs. 'Major' & 'Eye-catcher' disappeared from commerce (because stocks were virused to a high grade?).

But maybe you have found already its successors 'Devine Lightning' & 'Eyebright'

[Hillview croconut]

Hi Janis,

It is wonderful to see these plants in flower. Judging from the extensive seed crop every year when I have been there it must be a stunning vista. I am surprised that you found so few hybrids. Crocus chrysanthus grows in quantity adjacent to biflorus in at least two sites I know. Just as you emerge from the beech forest near a little chapel at about 1100m and further up the road opposite a picnic ground where there is a basin-like valley with pine trees at its head.

Deeply envious of your trip. At least when we were there in June last year the River Aggitis cave was open and it was spectacular, especially the recreated water wheel the locals set in place to contol irrigation (and did they use it for power?).

It was too late to look for Crocus pallasii at David's site.

Cheers, Marcus