The first Field Study in 1994 visited the western end of Crete recording 20 sites, finding many more populations, and collecting 41 plants (4 graecum, 5 hederifolium & 32 creticum).

In 1995 the drier eastern end of Crete was visited, and C. creticum was found to be far more extensively distributed than had previously been recorded. 29 sites were visited and 28 plants collected (1 graecum, 3 persicum & 24 creticum).

In 1996, Crete was visited twice, a spring trip surveyed 33  sites and collected 61 plants (15 graecum & 46 creticum). An October trip in combination with the 1996 Society conference visited 4 sites (all previously visited in 1994) and collected 16 plants (3 graecum, 3 confusum & 10 creticum).

A report of the 1994 field study was published in the
Cyclamen Society Journal Vol. 18 No. 2, December 1994.

Abridged field notes referenced by site number follow this table.
Giving brief locational information and habitat data which may aid cultivation.

CSE Plants Western Crete, 1994.

If plant images are available they may be viewed by clicking on the purple CSE plant number.

CSE Plant No.	Site No.	Species	Subspecies	Description
CSE94042	94/02	C. creticum	—	Good hastate leaf.
CSE94043	94/02	C. creticum	—	Good hastate leaf, robust plant.
CSE94044	94/02	C. creticum	—	Robust plant, hastate and speckled leaf.
CSE94045	94/05	C. graecum	graecum	24mm tuber, leaves with bold rounded silver centre.
CSE94046	94/05	C. graecum	graecum	95mm tuber, leaves with bold rounded silver centre.
CSE94069	94/06	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94070	94/06	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94071	94/06	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94072	94/06	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94073	94/08	C. creticum	—	Leaves bold silver, green centre.
CSE94101	94/08	C. creticum	—	Leaves plain green with very few spots.
CSE94127	94/10	C. creticum	—	Slight pink nose to flower. 150mm floral trunk. 42mm diameter tuber.
CSE94128	94/10	C. creticum	—	Leaf similar to C. repandum ssp. peloponnesiacum. 18mm floral trunk. Tuber 26mm dia.
CSE94129	94/10	C. creticum	—	Petals all pale pink. 36mm tuber.
CSE94130	94/10	C. creticum	—	Petals all pale pink. 15mm tuber.
CSE94131	94/10	C. creticum	—	Pink petals with darker sinus. 42mm tuber.
CSE94132	94/10	C. creticum	—	Leaf similar to C. rhodium ssp. peloponnesiacum. 12mm tuber.
CSE94133	94/10	C. graecum	candicum	Tuber 60mm diameter, 3 floral trunks, longest was 125mm. Small dark leaves.
CSE94134	94/10	C. graecum	candicum	Considered to be seedling of 94133. 18mm tuber. Dark small leaves.
CSE94185	94/11	C. creticum	—	Good heavy spotting to leaf, like C. rhodium ssp. peloponnesiacum.
CSE94211	94/12	C. creticum	—	Leaves like C. rhodium ssp. peloponnesiacum.
CSE94212	94/12	C. creticum	—	Flowers very pale pink, leaves plain green.
CSE94213	94/12	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94214	94/12	C. creticum	—	Bold leaf.
CSE94215	94/12	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94216	94/13	C. confusum	—	Petioles like C. africanum.
CSE94217	94/13	C. confusum	—	Bold leaf markings.
CSE94218	94/13	C. confusum	—	Bold leaf markings.
CSE94219	94/13	C. confusum	—	Leaves like C. rohlfsianum.
CSE94220	94/13	C. confusum	—	Leaves with silver centre.
CSE94221	94/14	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94222	94/14	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94223	94/14	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94275	94/15	C. creticum	—	Pink flowers.
CSE94276	94/15	C. creticum	—	Silver splash on leaves.
CSE94277	94/15	C. creticum	—	Pale pink nose.
CSE94278	94/15	C. creticum	—	Pale pink nose.
CSE94279	94/16	C. creticum	—	—
CSE94305	94/17	C. creticum	—	15mm floral trunk. Pink flowers. Plain green leaves.
CSE94306	94/17	C. creticum	—	Good silver splashes on leaves.
CSE94307	94/17	C. creticum	—	60mm floral trunk. Tuber 45mm diameter. Dentate leaf margin.

CSE Sites Western Crete, Greece 1994

If site images are available they may be viewed by clicking on the purple site number.

94/01

North of Rodopou town, Rodopou Peninsula.
Altitude: 500m. Aspect: South facing Slope: 0-1:1. Very dry in summer. Shade: 0-30%, Soil: ph 10.2 Terra Rossa, low in leafmould.
Growing with: Ranunculus creticus, Gynandriris monophyllum + spiny shrubs
Limited number of C. graecum in fairly poor condition

94/02

West Coast of Crete, north of Sfinari.
Altitude: 250m. Gully with water cover flowing down northeast side (6.5 metre cliff). Plants growing in leafmould & rock chunks, and as crevice plant. Shade: 75%, Aspect: 30-40 degree slope to northwest. Soil: ph variable from 2.8 to 5.7. Stream water at 3.3 Terra rossa with organic matter.
Growing with: Arisarum vulgare, Ranunculus creticus, Nerium oloeander, Plantanus orientalis, grasses, Urginea maritima, Ornithogalum umbellatum Rubus fruticosus, Orobanche sp., Sedum sp., Smilax aspera, Allium subhirsutum, etc.

94/03

West Coast of Crete, north of Sfinari.
Altitude: 90m. Gully on coast road, draining southeast and northwest. Cliff on southwest side. Plants growing in crevices and on flat in shade, along man-made ledge used for irrigation pipes. Shade: 90%.
Growing with: Hypericum sp., Geranium robertianum, grasses, Euphorbia helioscopa, Verbascum sp., Nerium oleander, Platanus orientalis, Arbutus unedo, Sedum sp., Arisarum vulgare, Smilax aspera, Urinea maratima.

94/04

Above Phalasarna, Gramvousa Peninsula.
Altitude: 100m. Near vertical, facing west. Single plant growing as chasmophyte, in gulley in dark hollow, in otherwise exposed area. Shade: 90%.
Growing with: Nerium oleander, Ceratonia siliqua, etc.

94/05

South of Rodopou Peninsula. Above Spilia, just north of church in cave (Agia Pantec).
Altitude: 95m. Open scrub, Aspect: 40-45 degree slope facing southeast. Shade: 0-40%, Soil: ph 10.2 Terra rossa with limestone, low in organic matter.
Growing with: Rhamnus lycoides ssp. graecus, Genista acanthoclada, Phlomis fruticosus, Asphodelus sp., grasses, Ornithogalum sp., etc.

94/06

South of the Rodopou Peninsula. On pathway to Agios Stefanos, south of Spilia.
Altitude: 50m. Aspect: Woodland on north facing slope of 0-90 degrees. Shade: 20-90%. Soil: Moist heavy clay. Blue clay near surface. ph 9.4-10.2 Under stress in woodland, but lush adjacent to path to church.
Growing with: Quercus petraea, Platanus orientalis Rubus fruticosa, Styrax officianalis, Smilax aspera, Erica arborea, Selaginella, Oxalis pres-caprae, Pteridium aquilinum, Clematis cirrhosa, Hedera helix, Myrtus communis, Euphorbia characias, grasses, sedges, mosses.
2n=20 site

94/07

Face of escarpment behind Platanias.
Altitude: 30m. Aspect: North facing slope of 2:1 to vertical. C. graecum growing as chasmophite.
Growing with: Ballota pseudodictamnus, Phlomis fruticosus, grasses, Urginea maritima etc.
Site being extensively developed, few remaining areas for plants. Very inaccessible & majority of plants already dormant. Site has no long term future.

94/08

South of Platanias, just north of Karani on the road to Kares.
Altitude: 420m. Lush, mixed, deciduous woodland. Aspect: North facing slope of 0-1:1. Shade: 50%. Soil: ph 8.8-9.6. Abundant moisture from stream.
Growing with: Platanus orientalis, Ficus carica, Hedera helix, Rubus fruticosus, Arbutus unedo, Pteridium aquilinum, Euphorbia characias, Bryonia cretica, Geranium robertianum, grasses, Arum sp., Oxalis pres-caprae, Plantago major.

94/09

Road to Malaxa from Mournies, southeast of Chania, south of Souda.
Altitude: 120m. Aspect: Phrygana on variable slope of 0-90 degrees, in gully draining northwest. Shade: 50-90%, Soil: ph 8.5-10.
Growing with: Quercus coccifera, Phlomis fruticosa Osyris alba, Urginea maritima, Petromarala pinnata Asphodelus aestivus, Ranunculus asiaticus (white), Salvia triphylla, grasses, Dracunculus vulgaris, Euphorbia characias, Gagea graeca, Sarcopterum spinosum, Allium subhirsutum. C. graecum growing as chasmophyte

94/10

East side of Lefka Ori. Road from Petres to Goni, off Chania & Vrisses to Chora Sfakion road, at spine of island.
Altitude: 680m. Open, fairly exposed area of Quercus scrub, Aspect: slope of 1:5 to north-northeast. Shade: 20-70%. Soil: ph 9.4-9.6 Terra rossa with limestone, rich in organic matter.
Growing with: Quercus coccifera, Acer creticus, Phlomis fruticosa, Daphne sericea, grasses, Ruscus aculeatus, Sedum sp., Anenome heldreichii, Orchis quadripunctata, Orchis provincialis, Orchis tridentata, Serapias sp., Urginea maritima, Geranium robertianum

94/11

Beginning of final slope down onto north side of Omalos Plain from limestone ridge.
Altitude: 1140m, Aspect: Slope to northwest, open and exposed. Shade: <10% Soil: ph 8.0-8.5. Terra rossa over limestone.
Growing with: Acer cretica, Berberis cretica, Quercus coccifera, Geranium robertianum, Daphne sericea, Fritillaria messanensis, Phlomis fruticosa, grasses, Ranunculus sp., Veronica persica, Aphodeline lutea, Anenome heldreichii, Stachys cretica, Paeonia clusii, Asphodelus aestivus, Saxifraga chrysoplenifolia, Hedera helix Dracunculus vulgaris

94/12

Road from Laki to Omalos, on the northwest side of Xirokefalia.
Altitude: 1140m, Slope: 0-30 degrees to the west. Shade: 0-10% in open, 90% under Cupressus. Soil: ph 7.6-8.3. Growing under Cupressus abundantly, with scattered plants in more exposed conditions.
Growing with: Quercus coccifera, Arum idaeum, Asphodelus aestivus, grasses, Stellaria media, Euphorbia characias, Phlomis fruticosa, Ranunculus sp., Geranium robertianum, Gagea graeca, Asphodeline lutea, Berberis cretica, Daphne sericea, Acer cretica.

94/13

South of Kastelli, South of Topolia, below church of Agia Sofia.
Altitude: 250m. Aspect: Slope of 1:1 to north-northeast. Shade: 50%. Ground cover sparse, carpetted with pine needle litter up to 150mm thick under canopy of trees. Soil: Thick sandy soil.
Growing with: Pinus brutia, Cupressus sempervirens, Styrax officianalis, Mandragora autumnalis, Hedera helix, Ruscus aculeatus, Salvia officinalis, Phlomis fruticosa, Arisarum vulgare, Euphorbia charcacias, grasses, Smilax aspera, Urginea maritima, Allium subhirsutum, Geranium robertianum, Eryngium campestre, Galium sp., Dracunculus vulgare, Acanthus spinosissimus.

94/14

South of Rethimno. Road between Spili and Gerakari on spine of Mount Kedros.
Altitude: 870m. Aspect: North facing slope of 30 degrees. No shade. Very exposed. Plants growing at base of limestone outcrops in grass and roots of Iris unguicularis. Soil: ph 8.8-10.2. Heavy terra rossa with limestone rock.
Growing with: Spartium junceum, Sarcopterum spinosum, Phlomis fruticosus, Iris unguicularis, Inula hirta, grasses, 12 species of orchids, including Orchis, Ophrys, Aceras, Serapias and Anacampsis. Fritillaria messanensis, Calicotome villosa, Eryngium campetre, Campanula tabulosa, Muscari comosum, Asphodelus aestivus, Gagea graeca Trifolium uniflorum.

94/15

Southwest of Rethimno, on road between Agios Konstandinos and Argiroupoli.
Altitude: 130m. Lush broad leaf and evergreen trees with scattered olives, facing northeast. Shade: 9% Soil: ph 8.8-9.0
Growing with: Platinus orientalis, Hedera helix, Laurus nobilis, Myrtus communis, Rubus fruticosus, Galium sp., Smilax aspera, Tamus communis, Arum concinnatum, Arisarum vulgare, Pteridium aquilinum Petrmrala pinnata, Geranium robertianum, Ranunculus ficaria, grasses, Stellaria media, Selaginella, mosses, Ficus carica, Nasturtium officinale.

94/16

North of Vamos, on the northeast side of the Chania to Rethymnion road.
Altitude: 50m. Shade: 95% from mature trees, with some open areas. Soil: 8.0-8.8 Sandy.
Growing with: Quercus coccifera, Laurus nobilis, Hedera helix, Ruscus aculeata, Geranium robertianum, Clematis cirrhosa, grasses, Viccia sp Orobanche sp. Muscari comosum, Anacampsis pyramidalis.

94/17

West of Omalos, above and north-northwest of Aghia Irini.
Altitude: 780m. Aspect: 45 degree slope to northeast. Shade: 20%. Soil: Schist. Plants growing under Chestnut grove.
Growing with: Castarea sativa, Arbutus unedo, Erica arborea, Pteridium aquilinum, grasses, Selaginella, Bellis perennis, Arisarum vulgare, Primula vulgaris, Geranium robertianum, Listera ovata, Platanus orientalis, Inula hirsuta, Muscari comosum.
2N=20 site.

94/18

Road between north of Agia Irini and Omalos. On east side of Mount Tourli, west side of Plain of Omalos. (As site 94/19 but north facing).
Altitude: 1200m. Aspect: 45 degree slope to north-northeast. Exposed site in valley, under Cupressus. Soil: ph 6.5-7.0
Growing with: Cupressus sempevirens, Quercus coccifera, Berberis cretica, Stachys cretica, grasses, Eryngium campestre, mosses, Crocus sp., Colchicum sp., Eric arborea

94/19

Road between north of Aghia Irini and Omalos, East of Mount Tourli, west side of Plain of Omalos. South facing.
Altitude: 1200m. Whole site under canopy of Cupressus sempervirens
Growing with: Phlomis fruticosa, grasses, Geranium robertianum, Quercus coccifera, Orchis papilionacea, Acer cretica etc.

94/20

Road from north of Aghia Irini to Omalos. East of Mount Tourli, west side of Plain of Omalos. South facing. (As site 94/19, but higher up).
Altitude: 1250m. Shade: 0-80% on south-southeast facing slope of 75 degrees.
Growing with: Acer cretica, Quercus coccifera, Phlomis fruticosa, Asphodeline lutea, grasses, Anthemis rigida, Ophrys lutea etc

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Acknowledgements. We wish to thank Mr Hendrinos for his kind assistance, and also members of the Cyclamen Society who supplied information on locations and thereby saved much precious time.