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digitally watermarked. No
reproduction without permission.Images of many sites are available, together with leaf and flower
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All images are
copyright © Cyclamen Society 1991, and are
digitally watermarked. No
reproduction without permission.
Eastern slopes of Mt Profitas Elias above Elousa. Altitude:350m.
Pinus brutia woodland with an understorey dominated by Pyrus sp.
Light shade. Aspect North-northeast, slope 1:3.
Surface soil largely
decomposing leaf litter lying over a gritty clay. C.repandum ssp.
rhodense present in many scattered patches where the understorey and scrub
were thin or absent. Especially abundant around dry watercourses.
Other
plants of note: Paeonia rhodium, Asphodelus microcarpus, Salvia triloba,
Dracunculus vulgaris Bellevalia sp., and Anenome sp..
North facing slopes on the road from the heights of Mt Profitas Elias
towards Embonas. Altitude: 450m. Pinus brutia woodland, open, perhaps
half shade, with scattered Quercus and Thuja. Aspect
west-northwest, slope variable but overall 1:1.
Surface soil largely
decomposing leaf litter lying over a gritty clay. Large limestone boulders
outcropping. C. repandum ssp. rhodense was abundant throughout the area,
a stream ran beside the woodland area, several plants were growing within the
stream in up to 7cm of water, others in completely saturated soil. Water in the
stream must have been highly calcareous as tufa was being deposited. Some
plants of C. repandum ssp. rhodense at the roadside were growing through
the asphalted road surface up to 20cm from the edge.
Shrubs included
Paeonia rhodium. Herbs & bulbs included Ophrys speghodes, Allium
?neopolitanum, Asphodelus microcarpus, Iris unguicularis, Dracunculus vulgaris,
Arisarum vulgare, Muscari comosum and species of Lilium, and
Bellevalia.
On the road from Elousa through Archipolis to Epta Piges. Altitude: 70m.
Pinus brutia woodland with a closed canopy. Aspect Southeast, slope 1:1.
Soil a gritty calcareous clay with pockets of deep pine needle leaf mould.
Concrete irrigation channels provided an unusual microhabitat. There were
scattered groups of C.repandum ssp. rhodense throughout the area on both
undisturbed soil and in places where works had produced extensive disturbance,
many seedlings not yet of flowering size were noted. Of especial interest was
the occurrence of a substancial group of flowering and juvenile tubers in a
shallow (3-7cm) layer of pure pine needle humus over a concrete slab of the
irrigation channel.
Other plants included Asphodelus microcarpus, Arum
maculatum, Arisarum vulgare and Orobanche sp..
On the road from Embonas to Amartos and Sianna. Altitude: 500m.
Pinus and Thuja woodland, probably planted, certainly managed,
canopy some 80% closed. Aspect north-northwest, overall slope 1:2.
Soil a
thick (30cm) humus layer over sandy clay or the native, fine grained,
ferruginous sandstone. C. repandum ssp. rhodense was extremely abundant
at this site and present in high densities (40-70%). Stands of C. repandum
ssp. rhodense were scattered throughout the woodland, right to the road
edge where several were growing through the asphalt, but were especially well
developed at the base of large rocks where the soil frequently had a
substantial layer of humus. Where the density of the phanerogamic and
cryptogamic vegetation allowed, abundant seedlings were established.
Other
plants included: Ophrys lutea, O. sphegodes, Anenome blanda, A. coronaria,
Allium subhirsutum, Muscari sp., and Aristolochia sp
On the road from Kolimbia to Archipolis, between Epta Piges and
Archipolis. Altitude: 150m. In Pinus brutia woodland with a canopy
approx 75% closed. Aspect North-northeast, slope overall 1:2
Soil highly
disturbed owing to forestry and/or irrigation works, clay with no development
of a surface layer of litter and humus. C. repandum ssp. rhodense
extensively scattered through the area in both relatively open situations,
those free of herbaceous vegetation as well as shrubs, and in deep shade below
evergreen shrubs. Two stands noted in deep shade. Throughout this site leaves
of C. repandum ssp. rhodense were extensively eaten, often leaving only
the main veins. No animals were found on the plants but inspection suggested
that the predators were insects, not molluscs. Overall, C. repandum ssp.
rhodense was far more abundant at this site in the highly disturbed areas
than in the putatively 'natural' woodlands. This is probably because the
woodland areas were heavily, up to 90%, vegetated. Evidence of fire in the
disturbed areas suggested that this might be an additional factor producing
more open conditions and so favouring C. repandum ssp. rhodense.
Extensive shrub layer of varied species, including Nerium
oleander. Extensive and varied herb layer but with no especially
interesting species.
On the road to Mt Profitas Elias from Elousa. Pinus brutia
woodlands with the canopy 50% closed. Altitude: 400m. Aspect Northeast, slope
1:1.5.
Soil, a humus layer of varying thickness over clay topping the
underlying limestone. Thick understorey of varied shrubs, with dense herb layer
in more open areas. C. repandum ssp. rhodense occurred largely in more
open areas. However, tubers without flowers extended into shade where they bore
larger than normal leaves with paler, simpler marbling. Seedlings were abundant
where other vegetation was sparse or absent - one group of 49 in an area of
about 0.25 sq. m. was noted. Throughout the site steep, even vertical slopes
could be found largely uncolonised by phanerogamic vegetation. Here, C.
repandum ssp. rhodense was more abundant - often covering 50% of the soil
surface. The most dense stands were often at the base of a steep mini slope
where soil had accumulated to some depth.
At the summit of the ridge between Psinthos and Petaloudes. Altitude: 450m. This site covered a very large area of varied vegetation ranging from Pinus woodland, through tall scrub dominated by Arbutus to low scrub composed of a wide range of species. The main slope had a south aspect, but the site extended to the other side of a steep valley with a north aspect. The angle of the slope varied from nil to 1:1. Soil, undisturbed humus over clay topping a calcareous conglomerate. C.repandum rhodense was widely scattered over an area of several hectares, usually in Pinus woodland or at the base of solitary pine trees emerging from the widespread scrub. While stands frequently comprised only one or two plants there were places where dense stands of C.repandum rhodense covered up to 80% of the soil surface and were regenerating vigorously. In these places there was usually little phanergamic vegetation and C.repandum rhodense emerged from a layer of needle litter surrounded only by sacttered seedlings of Sonchus, Galium, Geranium robertianum Arum maculatum and Trifolium. On the steep (1:1.5) north facing slope across the valley, C.repandum rhodense grew in rock crevices.
On the road from Petaloudes through Epano Kalamonas and Kato
Kalamonas.Altitude: 300m. An area of dense Arbutus scrub, 100% canopy. Aspect
north, slope 1:1 - 1:2.
Soil, deep humus layer (up to 45cm) over fine clay
topping conglomerate. C. repandum ssp. rhodense scattered sparsely but
evenly throughout, approx 20% of soil cover.
All three Arbutus taxa
present plus occasional varied other shrubs. Herb layer typically extremely
sparse comprising Geranium robertianum, Arisarum vulgare, Malva
sylvestris, grasses and Styrax seedlings.
Rodini Park, Rhodes Town. Altitude: 70m.
C. persicum first
noted as an edging plant in ornamental beds filled with Hedera, Acanthus
and Pittosporum tobira below large specimens of Nerium oleander
and a tree layer of Thuja, Platanus and Eucalyptus. C.
persicum was seeding extensively onto the paths and in the beds. The whole
area lay in the shallow valley of a stream flowing along the edge of the park.
Some 500m upstream (altitude 70m) C. persicum was found again in an area
of open grassland with scattered specimens of Quercus. C.
persicum was most often found at the base of trees and of limestone or
conglomerate boulders (or in cracks etc. in such boulders) and where scrub,
largely of Pistacea lentiscus and Cercis siliquastrum suppressed
the growth of grass. Plants were setting seed and some seedlings were apparent
around practically all mature plants. A further 300m upstream, in an area of
fairly flat land a little way from the stream, a single, large colony of C.
persicum was found below Quercus. Isolated from other putatively
wild C. persicum at this site, this colony was the largest single stand
(estimated at 600 plants) and was regenerating well (over 100 seedlings were
counted).
Monte Smith, Rhodes Town. Altitude: 3-150m. An area of steeply sloping
scrub in which the major shrubs were windswept Pinus & Thuja.
Aspect W.N.W. slope 1:0.5.
Soil a fine, water retentive clay over coarse,
shelly calcareous conglomerate. C. graecum grew in three types of
microclimate:
1. Pockets & crevices in conglomerate.
2. Amidst
dense shrubby & herbaceous vegetation in full sun.
3. On virtually bare
soil covered with needle litter in deep shade below Pinus &
Thuja.
Other plants included Asphodelus, Allium, Galium,
Hypericum, Arum, Crocus, Anthyllis, Papaver, Erodium, Ballota, Convolvulus
and Cytinus hypocistis.
On the road from Gennadio to Vatio. Altitude: 75m. Below Pinus with 100% canopy on east facing slope (1:3) and below Thuja with 100% canopy on south facing slope (1:1). Soil on both slopes a layer of decaying needles (undecayed needles up to 2.5cm thick) over clay topping a calacreous sandstone. On south facing slope, shrub layer of Cistus, Genista acanthoclada, Sarcopoterium spinosum and Salvia triloba with a few herbs. Some lichens including Cladonia chlorophaea and C.foliacea. C.repandum rhodense scattered and sparse. Below the road on the east facing slope, better stands of C.repandum rhodense amidst Ficus, Quercus, Styrax, Pistacea and Salvia bordering on olive grove.
North-western slopes of Mt Akramitis near Monolithos. Altitude: 375m. An
area of cleared Pinus woodland some 60m wide running parallel to the
road, now an area of herbaceous vegetation. C.repandum rhodense also found in
the woodland still standing. Completely open area on gentle (1:2 - 1:3)
northwest facing slope. Evidence of fairly recent (?6-12months) fire.
Soil
a gritty clay with patches of pine needle leaf mould topping a calcareous
conglomerate/breccia. The area of cleared woodland extended beyond the site
studied, past the chapel and viewpoint shown on maps to an altitude of
500m.
Cleared area bore a rich herb flora with some shrubs. Including:
Gynandriris sisyrinchium, Anenome coronaria, Orobanche ?amethystina,
Asphodelus microcarpus, Bellevalia, etc. In the adjoining woodland
individual plants of C. repandum rhodense occurred very sparsely amongst
a shrub layer of Pistacea, Arbutus, and Quercus coccifera.
On the road from Trianda (Ialissos) to Filerimos, about 1km below
Filerimos. Altitude: 140m. Lightly shaded Pinus woodland with canopy 70%
closed, populations close to the road would receive some 50% shade. Aspect
east, slope 1:1.
Soil coarse acid humus over pockets of clay, topping an
acid sandstone. Needle litter and shade were too great for a vigorous
herbaceous flora. C. repandum ssp. rhodense present in scattered groups,
most of which contained young seedlings.
Varied shrub layer, Gladiolus
illyricus and one plant of C. persicum.
On the slopes below the car park at the Filerimos monastery. Altitude: 225-270m. In light woodland below Thuja and Quercus macrolepis with occasional Platanus orientalis with the canopy 70% closed. Aspect North, slope variable, some 1:3 overall. Soil - a thick humic layer over clay and rock fragments. Sparse but widespread shrub growth. Herbaceous layer sparse but scattered plants of Iris, Arum, Bellavalia, Geranium robertianum, Stachys, Galium aparine and Dracunculus. The principal interest of this site was the prescence of C.repandum rhodense and C.persicum. In the upper part of the woodlands, C.persicum grew alone, often in deeply shaded positions where very large leaves were noted. In the higher parts C.persicum tended to grow in deeper soil and leaf litter at the base of large rocks and mini cliffs. C.repandum rhodese and C.persicum grew intermingled in the more open woodland some half way between the car park and the first zig-zag of the approach road. C.persicum did not disappear completely in the area studied. There did appear however, to be a general decrease in C.persicum and increase in C.repandum rhodense as altitude decreased.
On Katavia to Mesanegros road, near Mesanegros. Altitude: 210m. Mixed Pistacea and Arbutus scrub with scattered Cistus, Sarcopoterium spinosum and Salvia triloba. Aspect East, slope variable. A small stand of C.repandum rhodense in 80% shade.
On road from Mesanegros to Arnitha, on northwest facing slopes of Mt.
Koukouliari. Altitude: 120m. Sparse Pinus woodland with a dense shrub
layer. Aspect northwest, slope 1:2.
Soil a thick layer of leaf litter and
humus. C. repandum ssp. rhodense sporadic along the roadside principally
along the better illuminated uphill verge but in dense shade which would not
receive direct light before 14.00hrs in spring and would then have only dappled
sunlight. Few left in flower, although an estimated 97% had coiled seed pods
and seedlings were frequent.
Varied shrub layer including Paeonia
rhodium. Especially interesting herbs included Ophrys sphegodes and
O. fuciflora.
On road from Profilia to Istrios, near Profilia. Altitude: 380m. A valley completely burned out probably within the previous year. Appeared to have been sparsely wooded with Pinus. Aspect west, slope 1:4 overall Soil burnt over a gritty sandstone. No mature vegetation remained. Both Pistacea lentiscus and Myrtus communis were regenerating from burned stumps and amongst these shoots a few C.repandum rhodense were surviving. A few tubers also survived in the angle of a small watercourse (a little water was still flowing). Abundant seedlings of Cistus, some Vicia and a few bulbs of Muscari were present.
On the road from Kalathos to Masari, not far from the main coast road travelling north, up a small track beyond the bridge over the river. Altitude: 50m. Mixed Pinus and Thuja woodland. Aspect north-northeast and south-southwest (both sides of the river, southern side only observed through binoculars), slope overall 1:1. Soil fine clay in pockets between rocks, humus layer in some places (north of river). Mixed scrub noted north of the river. C.repandum rhodense sparse in shade on northern bank, apparently in more open situations on southern bank.
Below Moni Kamirou beside the road. Altitude: 80m. Two stands were noted, one in dense Pistacea scrub below Pinus on level ground, the second on a steep (1:1) bank bordering an olive grove. Aspect for both northeast. Evidence of very good germination of C. repandum ssp. rhodense.
Above Paradision, near the top of the road. Altitude: 25m. A narrow, densely shrubby valley leading off an abandoned citrus and olive grove. On a slope facing northeast at an overall gradient of 1:1. Mixed shrubs gave deep shade. Several plants of C.repandum rhodense just hanging on at the lowest point, flourishing higher up the valley.
On the road from Spoa to Apella and Kira Panagia. Altitude: 410m. An
area of severely burnt Pinus woodland with little shrub or herbaceous
vegetation remaining. Aspect North-northeast, slope overall 1:1 but Cyclamen
creticum tending to favour the gentler slopes, 1:2.
Soil, deep stony
and well drained, over limestone with a thin layer of needle litter suggesting
that fire had occurred within 12 months A few stumps of shrubs were sprouting
and Cistus seedlings were common. Various herbaceous plant seedlings.
C. creticum was widely and fairly evenly scattered, seldom occurring in
large clumps, over an area of some 30m x 50m. C. creticum represented
about 10% of ground cover. At this site and 91/31, C. creticum was
remarkably uniform in flower and leaf.
Above the main cemetery to the east of Karpathos town. Altitude: 20-50m.
A series of abandoned terraced fields in an abandoned limestone quarry. Aspect
Northeast, slope, some vertical 'cliffs' and terrace dry walls with the base of
the quarry some 1:5. Also the North-northwest facing slope above the quarry
with a slope of 1:8 but with dry walls.
Cyclamen persicum was
growing in two habitats:
1) Holes and crevices in 'cliffs', boulders and
dry walls.
2) Amongst and around scrub in scree type rock beds.
Cyclamen persicum was normally found in places with a north or west
aspect although one south facing dry wall supported a good population. Deep
flat soils were generally too densely vegetated to support Cyclamen
persicum. C. persicum represented about 25% of ground cover. The
population was of especial interest as a consequence of its wide range of
flower colours and the many plants with petaloid stamens.
Scrub was
principally composed of Phlomis, Sarcopoterium, Pistacia and
Thuja.