Wild flowers of Cyllene mountain
Cyllene mountain ( Zireia) is 237m high. Cyllene, Helmos, Panahaikon and Erymanthos create the north wall of
τhe Peloponnese. It is located to the South –West of Xylokastro, to the North of Feneos’plain and to the West of
Stymphalia lake.
The mountain is divided into two mountain groups.
The
first one is Mikri Zireia ( Little Zireia) and its tops are Hioni ( 2117m),
Doussia and Tsouma and the second
Is called Megali Zireia ( Big Zireia) with the tops of Simeio (2374m), Prophitis Ilias (2257m) and Paragka (2032m).
The lake , called Dassiou, is located on Cyllene’s tableland.
Between these two mountains spreads Flambouritsa’s Canyon. Sythas River flows through it.
The geographical position of Cyllene and the unique geological and climate conditions of this area creat a great
variety of different kinds of plants. Mythology says that there was a magic herb called “molos” that was given
to Odysseus by Hermes. With this herb Odysseus would be saved from being transformed into a pig by the
witch Kirki.
Native plants of Cyllene
On Cyllene mountain there are four kinds of native plants. These kinds of plants grow only on Cyllene.
1.
Verbascum
Cylleneum. It is a rare one yearly or two yearly plant found on the semi
–mountainous or mountainous areas of Cyllene.
2.
Adonis
Cyllenea – We meet this in Flambouritsa’s Canyon. It blossoms in May.
3. Galium Cyllenium
4. Hieracium Cylleneum (There isn’t any picture)
Native plants of the Peloponnese
1.
Taraxacum
Cylleneum – Wild Chicory
It has a bitter taste. It is beneficial for complaints of the gastro-enteric pipe and pancreas. It affects
positively the nerves too. It is very beneficial also to athletes.
2.
Sideritis
cladestima ssp cyllenea –Cyllene’s tea. It is a pharmaceutical plant. It is
aromatic, tonic and
helps digestion. We gather it in July.
3.
O
nosma
erecta . It is a yearly or a perennial plant. It grows on rocky places of
mountain. It bursts into
blooms in May – July.
4.
Gambanula
asperiloides. A perennial plant. It is a kind of plant which grows into the
clefts of alpine
rocks. Its leaves are small and the flowers have a blue-violet color. It blossoms from July to August.
5.
Crocus
bitt. The species of crocus has 20 kinds. Some of them blossom in spring and
others in autumn.
They have a small bulb and lined –narrow leaves. It grows early in the spring.
6.
Fritilaria
graeca. Its flowers are like tulip, but they bend downwards or sideways. It
blooms in March - May.
7.
Colchicum pulchellum.
Colchicum are a big group of 27 kinds of plants that have bulbs. The flowers
appear in autumn (September – October) on a very long stem which has its start from the bulb. The leaves
αppear in spring, they are narrow and long (25cm).
8.
Valeriana olenaea. A special medicinal plant. It’s good for the stomach and digestion, antipyretic and kills
the intestine worms.
9.
Achilea
umbellate. It is a native- Greek plant. Dioskouridis calls it a thousand - leave
plant. It is a
medicinal plant. Useful are its flower –bearing shoots and leaves. Homeopathic medicine uses this to treat
hemorrhoids, thrush, giddiness.
The pictures are from the personal album of Mr Spyros Apostolopoulos