Flora of North Pelion
Flora of North Pelion
As the natural environment of North Pelion does not differ substantially from the vegetation types, geological substrate and altitudinal zones found in Central, West and East Pelion, the landscape of the area - ie the region north of the major peaks of Mt Pelion and from Karla to the Aegean Sea - is very similar in terms of physiognomy and species composition to those of southermost region.
North Pelion, however, has a larger area of bare limestone rocks, which either form cliffs and precipices, especially in the eastern side, or dry shrublands.
In addition, much of the forest cover consists of dense scrub dominated by Evergreen oak (Quercus ilex), which usually forms smaller stands further south, or mature oak forests, a type of habitat that is absent from the rest of the complex.
In the coastal zone, which is particularly rocky, one will spot all the corrsponding species of East Pelion: Rock Samphire and Caper in the lowest elevation, sea poppy higher up, pockets of the rare Campanula incurva, groups of Alyssum, colonies of Scrophularia canina ssp. bicolor etc.
Even higher up, where the effect of the sea's humidity is combined with the cooler mountain temperatures, less common species occur, such as Minuartia attica, a small shrub with a wide altitudinal range and a wide distribution in mountainous Greece, or the shiny Linum elegans. In the innumerable small crags one will find more typical rock species, such as Onosma heterophylla, the Greek endemic Ebenus sibthorpii and various rock bells.
The greatest diversity of species, however, is hidden in the bush: it is the habitat with the greatest variety of situations. Thus, typical plants of the phrygana, such as Scolymus hispanicus, coexist with species of rocky shrubs, such as Valeriana italica.
In other corners of the bush - ravines, clearings, slopes with surface humidity - thrive species that have higher moisture requirements, such as Borago officinalis, Lilium chalchedonicum and Ranunculus rumelicus. In the deep shadow of the montane forest the delicious wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca), the impressive Calystegia silvatica and the paradoxical Ruscus aculeatus are hidden.
The oak forests of North Pelion consist of sparse, mature trees. In the small meadows between the monumental trees (such as in the area of Ano Kanalia and on the slopes towards Keramidi) thrive interesting species, such as Helleborus odorus ssp. cyclophyllus, Dianthus viscidus and the the spring crosus Crocus veluchensis.
North Pelion lacks however the extent of the hydrographic network and particularly the permanent flow streams on Eastern Pelion area, a difference reflected in the richness of plant species in these habitats.
Text and photos: T. Adamakopoulos
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