Crocus and other early flowering plants of Mount Ossa (Kissavos), April 4, 2015

[papapoly]

Hellow folks,

I just took a trip to neighboring mount Ossa (1976 m), this last Saturday.  I went up to 1600 m.  Snow was still around as low as 800 m due to heavy late snowfalls and an unsuasually chilly Spring.  I saw many Crocus, covering huge fields.  Crocus veluchensis and Crocus chrysanthus occur, literally by the millions.  They grow together and flower pretyy much at the same time.  However no matter how much I searched, I never found a single hybrid plant, not only in mount Ossa, but, also in neighbouring mountains, for example in the foothills of mount Olympus (1000-1400 m).  I guess, the DNA these two species are not compatible for hybridization.

I will start with pics 17 and 18, two different Euphorbia sp occuring at 990 m.

[papapoly]

Next is some images of Crocus veluchensis from different elevations.

[papapoly]

Scilla bifolia occurs in its usual coloration (pics 28 and 29) but, also in a pink form (pics 10 and 43).

[papapoly]

Corydalis solida is beggining to flower, always under the protection of shade under tress, bushes and the spiny cushions of Astagalus angustifolius. 
Pics: 32 (1000 m), 75 (1200 m) and 209 (1400 m).

[papapoly]

Other species seen are:

1) pic 39 from the composite family, I do not know the genus (1000 m),
2) pic 40, a muscari sp just coming into flowering (1000 m),
3) pics 1 (1000 m) and 77 (1200 m), a Gagea sp and
4) pic 117, Tussilago farfara (1450 m)

[papapoly]

A Draba (?) species is widespread.  I have seen it up to 1900 m.  Here are pics from a lower elevation (1250 m, looking North)

[papapoly]

Colchicum doerfleri from various elevations: 63, 64 and 81 (1250 m), 211 (1450 m)

The Aegean, looking N-NE from 1250 m (pic 54)

George Papapolymerou

[papapoly]

Now some nice associations of fields covered with Crocus veluchensis and Crocus chysanthus.

Elevation: 1300-1350 m

[papapoly]

Three sp occuring together: Crocus veluchensis and chrysanthus (pics 100, 101 and 104).
Also, not seen in bushes and between rocks, in the same location (1350 m) Colchicum doerfleri and Corydalis solida also occur.

pic 107: Crocus chrysanthus
pic 112: both species

[Hoy]

Hi papapoly,

Some interesting plants you show us. Thanks!

[papapoly]

Higher up, at 1400-1450 m, looking N, Scilla bifolia enjoys growing right through the Astragalus angustifolius bushes, while Crocus chrysanthus grows more in the open.  Crocus veluchensis grows more out in the open but, it likes growing under ferns.  These ferns grow in June, so by then Crocus veluchensis goes dormant and stays cool throughout the summer months.

Although, I live 30 miles from this location, I tried to grow Crocus veluchensis repeatedly both in my garden and in pots without any success.

[papapoly]

Next,

pics 179 and 194, mostly Crocus veluchensis, growing under ferns and

pic 196: the only albino plant of Crocus veluchensis I saw

[papapoly]

Finally for the trip, going down to lowland Thessaly, at 900 m I saw masses of a Viola sp, probably Viola graeca, occuring extensively above 1200 m, but too early to flower at higher elevations.

I hope you have enjoyed the early Spring plants of mount Ossa

George Papapolymerou

[Matt T]

Lovely plants and a wonderful trip, thanks George. Your pictures confirm my resolve to return to your beautiful country in the spring time.

[Hoy]

papapoly,

Those ferns, are they bracken (Pteridium aquilinum)?