AGS Peloponnese Tour 2016
Day 1 - Mt Parnassus and Delphi
The tour started in Athens and the first two days involved a detour via Delphi and Mt Parnassus before crossing into the Peloponnese.
Crocus cancellatus mazziaricus
On Mt Parnassus
Colchicum boissieri
On Mt Parnassus
Delphi
Within the site at Delphi we saw Colchicum cupanii and Sternbergia lutea.
Colchicum cupanii
Sternbergia lutea
Day 2 - Driving from Delphi to Nafpaktos
Cyclamen hederifolium
A hillside covered in Cyclamen hederifolium near Amfissa.
Cyclamen hederifolium
Near Amfissa
Cyclamen hederifolium
Near Amfissa
Cyclamen hederifolium
Near am
Crocus robertianus
Crocus robertianus at its most southerly site in Greece in an oak wood near Nafpaktos.
Crocus robertianus
Day 3
Mostly driving with a stop at Olympia, the ancient site of the Olympic Games. Crocus boryi was flowering among the ruins.
Crocus boryi
Growing in ruins of Olympia
Day 4 - around Sparti
The main target today was Galanthus reginae-olgae. However, the morning was spent visiting the ancient Byzantine town of Mystra, the centre of the Byzantine Empire during the 14th and 15th century.
Galanthus reginae-olgae
One of the sites at which we found Galanthus reginae-olgae in the Taigetos Mountains above Sparti. They were growing in the leaf litter from the plane trees.
Day 5 - Sparti to Gythio
Went by a very circuitous route via Geraki. Crocus boryi to be seen at many places on the way. At its best today as the sun was out most of the time.
Crocus boryi
In an olive grove at the side of the road.
Cyclamen graecum
Arrived at Gytheo and went looking at Cyclamen graecum a short walk from the hotel.
Very variable leaves
And the Farrer Medal plant.
Relaxing in Gythio
Day 6 - The Mani Peninsula
A very wet morning so we drove straight to the bottom of the Peninsula in the hope that the weather would clear later and it did. Highlights of the day were our first Crocus goulimyi, our first Crocus niveus, masses of Sternbergia lutea and finally Narcissus serotinus.
Our first 'stop the bus' moment was on sight of Crocus goulimyi growing along the side of the road.
Crocus goulimyi
Quite variable in colour.
'Stop the bus' again - this time for our first sighting of Crocus niveus.
Crocus niveus
Better pictures later in the olive groves where we found Sternbergia lutea.
Sternbergia lutea
Growing in masses in olive groves.
In amongst the Sternbergia were Cyclamen graecum.
Narcissus serotinus
North of Ariopolis
Day 7 - Drive from Gythio to Monemvasio
Highlights today were Narcissus tazetta, lots more Crocus goulimyi and Crocus boryi, Colchicum sp., Anemone crassifolia, as well as the scented Cyclamen hederifolium crassifolium.
Narcissus tazetta
Near Gythio
Anemone crassifolia
Growing among the Narcissus
At the next stop there were masses of Crocus boryi and Crocus goulimyi, as well as the diminutive Colchicum psaridis.
Colchicum psaridis
Crocus goulimyi
Colour forms from pure white through to dark mauve.
Cyclamen hederifolium crassifolium
Growing everywhere with Cyclamen graecum. Very strongly scented. Only this form grows in the Peloponnese.
Flower size varies dramatically.