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Our springtime visit to the Greek part of Cyprus was a two-centre
package holiday. The first week was spent near Limassol on the south coast,
followed by a second week near Paphos on the west coast. Despite its proximity
to Turkey, Cyprus has been an island for so long that many endemic plants
have developed there, particlarly in its three main mountainous regions.
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From Limassol we were able to explore a wide range of habitats.
The coastal regions already showed signs of the imminent hot, dry summer,
though many fascinating plants were readily found, including the tiny Gladiolus
triphyllos and the Cretan Bee Orchid (Ophrys kotschii). At the
top of the Troodos mountains (top left) snow still persisted in sheltered
spots, but much of the rocky ground was carpeted with the endemic Crocus
cyprius (top right). In the woods at lower levels many species of orchid
flourished, including Orchis troodii (right) with its long spurs
pointing skyward.
Paphos, with its wonderfully preserved Roman mosaics, proved an
excellent centre for exploration of the western part of the island. Nearby
the rock-cut "Tombs of the Kings" were brilliantly decorated with sweet-scented
Cyclamen persicum (left), the wild ancestor of our florists' cyclamen.
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Many ancient churches (bottom left) could be visited, some having
all their internal walls covered with ornately painted frescoes, many hundreds
of years old. Journeys northwards to explore the botanically famous Akamas
peninsula were a delight, with the intense blue of the Mediterranean providing
the backdrop to banks of golden Crown Daisies (bottom right).
 
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