Italy 2008

[ian mcenery]

Thomas great pictures thanks - keep em coming!!

How long was the trip?

[Lesley Cox]

Great trip Thomas and wonderful pictures, especially the Cyclamen repandum. Wish mine would grow like that. I hope you didn't strain your back, trying to right the tower. Chris will be tall as you are, soon.

[Thomas Huber]

Ian, the trip was 8 days plus 2 days for driving to Italy and back to Germany.

Cyclamen repandum grows everywhere in the woods of South of Italy, but always as single plants.
This spot in Monti Simbruini was the very best we found!!

4th day

Finally we arrived on the Mediterranean Sea, but the weather has turned very bad as you can see.
Luckily this was the only rain we had during our holiday:


Only an hour after we started the rain stopped and soon the sun came out again to brighten our
next stop at Monti Aurunci, where we met some locals  In the background the bay of Gaeta:


One of the most impressive visits was the coastline from Sorrento to Amalfi. First a nice view over
the Bay of Napoli and Vesuvio, next the Northern coastline plus the Southern coastline near Positano;
Only a few photos of many, many more I made this afternoon:






The extensive architecture of this area causes a big parking problem, beautiful demonstrated in this photo:


No good plants were found near the coastline, but I've planed to make a trip into the mountains - unfortunately
2 of 3 pass-streets were closed    Anemone apennina was one of the few daylights we found:




Our main aim was to find Crocus imperati ssp imperati, but again we were too late for flowers.
Here you can see Chris in typical imperati habitat collecting seeds:

[Thomas Huber]

Two more photos of the Vulcano Vesuvio:
One for the postcard and one for reality 
The rubbish-problem of Napoli was obvious everywhere 
Last photo shows the top of another mountain near Avellino.

[Thomas Huber]

5th day:

There are also many beautiful mountain ranges in the back-country of Napoli. On one we found a
wonderful crocus-lawn. The plants are growing in very, very wet conditions:








This is the second white Crocus vernus I've seen on the whole trip:


Before we started we were told by a friend to be careful around Napoli - many kids have
disappeared in this area. But I don't think any bad guy would dare to catch Chris:


This one is especially for Gerd Knoche. Don't know if it is something special or common:


Chris searching for Cyclamen - don't worry, it wasn't as dangerous as it looks on the photo 


For the night we choose a hotel on the beach in Agropoli:

[Luc Gilgemyn]

You're making us all green with envy Thomas - seems like you had a marvelous trip !
Can't wait to see the nex pix.
Thanks again for taking us along ! 

[Gerdk]

5th day:
[This one is especially for Gerd Knoche. Don't know if it is something special or common:
(Attachment Link)

Thomas,
Thank you for the violet pic - but also for the other views from astonishing parts of Italy.
The violet is most probably Viola eugeniae of the Melanium (pansy) section. Of course special like all violets 

Gerd

[Armin]

Thomas,
a super trip. 
Very interesting to see the flooded crocus lawn.
Question remains whether this was accidentally or this happens regular to this place.
I wonder if many corms will rott later or stay alive...

[Lesley Cox]

Marvellous pictures Thomas. It's great that Chris enjoys these plant hunting trips as much as you do.

[Thomas Huber]

Thomas,
a super trip. 
Very interesting to see the flooded crocus lawn.
Question remains whether this was accidentally or this happens regular to this place.
I wonder if many corms will rott later or stay alive...

Armin we found the crocus near the snowline, so I think they will be flooded each year.
I think the lawn will be dryer in summer!

[Thomas Huber]

6th day

We started early and had a good view to the Basilicatian coastline:


After leaving the coast we drove to the Monti Sirino with its highest peak Monte del Papa where we found Cyclamen repandum en masse, plus Scilla biflora and Anemone apennina:












Here some typical villages in Basilicata. Unfortunately I forgot to note their names – hope you will enjoy the views even so:

[Gerdk]

Thomas,
Most interesting pics - just as good as the others!
Was there some variation in Anemone apennina (some whites or darker tones)?

Gerd

[Thomas Huber]

Yes, Gerd, we found all variations from white to blue and also intermediates!


6th day the second

On our way to the Apulian Eastcoast we found Romulea bulbocodium and an Ornithogalum (complete name would be appreciated):




Arriving in Apulia we found this Tulipa sylvestris growing in a field near Matera:


Sorry for the fuzzy photo (Hermodactylus tuberosus), it was made when the sun stood very deep:


And finally a riddle for Anthony Darby: What is this and what do they do???

[Gerdk]

Thomas,
Thank you - dark blues also?
Maybe the Iris is Hermodactylus tuberosus - not completely sure.

Gerd

[Thomas Huber]

Thomas,
Thank you - dark blues also?
Maybe the Iris is Hermodactylus tuberosus - not completely sure.

Gerd

Not as dark blue as Anemone blanda "Blue Shades"