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

[David Nicholson]

Lovely stuff, many thanks for taking the time to post them.

[papapoly]

Dear Trond,

I do not know the species name but, they are widespread in the South Balkans.


George

[Matt T]

It certainly does look like bracken, which has a cosmopolitan distribution and is the only Pteridum species occurring in George's area.

[Hoy]

George,

I was a bit early with my prize of your pictures, so I do repeat it, thanks for a nice show!

And Matt,

it never occured to me to grow Crocuses in the bracken scrub

[Matt T]

it never occured to me to grow Crocuses in the bracken scrub

I suppose it wouldn't be growing up until the Crocuses are dying back anyway and for those of us in wetter climates it might usefully keep the soil a bit drier through the summer?

[papapoly]

Dear Mat and Trond,

These ferns like it somewhat dry in the summer months.  The soil is dry in the upper 4-5 cm.  Probably some moisture is present below the 5 cm mark.  However, I think what makes the difference is the shade.  These ferns grow very close to each other forming clumps and therefore keep the soil cool.  I often think of them as weeds.  They grow everywhere above the 800-900 m line, preferring o N, NW and NE exposure.

I will take pictures in the summer and post them here, in this topic.

George

[Hoy]

That's fine, George.

I think it is the same as I have had in my garden as a weed. Fortunately I got rid of it. Other ferns are nice and I have many in my garden, but this one spreads too much!