The weather was very warm this June and as a consequence the
flowers were finishing early. Although I love to see the lovely
Campanula, it is always a sign that the flower season is coming
to an end and the hot dry Summer is starting, with its lack
of flowers around Elounda.
 |
Anchusa azura
/ Large Blue Alkanet / Αγχουσα η γαλάζια / Italienische
Ochsenzunge - This is the tallest and
most brilliantly blue anchusa on Crete. It is
very common in abandoned fields and on roadsides.
|
|
 |
| Arum ideaum / Αρο
τηζ Ιδηζ / Idagebirge-Aronstab - This
is a small, endemic arum which can be found in
the mountains, often under B. cretica, oak or
cypress trees. It has large, glossy leaves which
often hide the little flower. |
|
 |
| Thistle
- Although I have spent a long time trying to
identify this Compositae I have been unable to
make an accurate choice. Help would be appreciated. |
|
 |
| Echinops spinosissimus
/ Spiny globe thistle / Εχχίνοψ ο ακααανθότατος
/ Kugeldistel - This perennial thistle
can be found in dry, stony locations all over
the island. It is often seen on the roadside.
Its name is taken from the Greek word for ‘spiny’. |
|
 |
| Lavatera arborea
- These beautiful flowers can be recognised by
the dark staining at the base of each petal. |
|
 |
| Tulipa cretica /
Cretan Tulip / Τουλίπα η κρητικί / Kretische Tulpe
- On a trip out into the mountains to try to find
one last orchid, we found T. cretica growing on
the side of the track – much to my excitement.
This is the first time I have seen this exquisite
little tulip in the wild. The only other time
I have seen it was at Kew Gardens on a visit there
with John and Gareth last year. To see a wild
specimen was such a thrill. |
|
 |
| Hornet on Eryngium
- The wonderful combination of the large black
and yellow hornet with the subtle blues and greys
of the Sea Holly make this a subject I cannot
resist. |
|
 |
| Cephalanthera cucullata
/ Hooded helleborine / Κεφαλανθηρο το καλυπτροφόρο
- This watercolour by Julia Jones features a very
rare, endangered, endemic orchid which is found
occasionally in forests on the three main mountain
massifs. |
|
 |
| Dracunculus vulgaris
- Jan Liodaki’s superb painting of the striking
stems and leaves of the Dragon Arum. |
|
|
