© Karen Andrews
An empty nest in June 2017 gave me the opportunity to go on the holiday of my choice. I chose a rambling and wild flower tour of Epirus, Greece with Travel Editions. It reignited my childhood fascination for wild flowers leading to the MSc. in Plant Diversity and a career change. I have been reminiscing while sorting my photos during the Coronavirus lockdown. The colours, light and spectacular scenery are conveyed, even though I only used my iPad to take photos during the tour.
Orchids (Orchidaceae)
Epirus has an amazing range of Orchids.
Neotinea ustulata, Burnt-tip Orchid 
Anacamptis pyramidalis, Pyramidal Orchid
Other Wild Flowers
The region is unspoilt. The mountain air quality was restorative with little traffic on the roads. Everywhere seemed to be bursting with wild flowers. There were rare and endemic plants. Some plants were recognisable as the origin of UK garden varieties. Even the common plants transported me back in time to my childhood, when hedgerows seemed to spill over with wild flowers. Here are some of my favourite Greek flowers.
Campanula spatulata, Spatulate Bellflower (Campanulaceae) 
Campanula spatulata, Spatulate Bellflower (Campanulaceae) with Fumaria officialis, Common Fumitory (Papaveraceae)
Ramonda serbica, Serbian Ramonda or Serbian Phoenix Flower (Gesneriaceae) 
Geranium subcaulescens, Grey Cranesbill (Geraniaceae)
One lasting memory is how happily the butterflies, moths and other insects buzzed around. It seemed like we had lost that biodiversity until the Coronavirus shutdown.
Beetles on Orlaya grandiflora, White Laceflower (Apiaceae) © Karen Andrews 
Rose chafer on Phlomis fruticosa, Jerusalem Sage (Lamiaceae) © Karen Andrews
This spring has reminded me of my Greek holiday. I hope to visit again one day. Travel seems unlikely this year. In the meantime, my photos are happy reminders.
© Karen Andrews
Further Reading
- Alpine Garden Society (2018): Iris sintensii. Alpine Garden Society Plant Encyclopaedia.
- Ebury, Sue (2014): The Vikos. Hill View Rare Plants. Blog. 27 November 2014.
- Filis, Evangelos et al. (2013): Orchid species distribution the rangelands, Epirus, Greece. Conference: 9th European Dry Grassland Meeting At: Prespa, Greece, 19-23 May 2012.
- Papiomitoglou, Vangelis (2006): Wild Flowers of Greece. Mediteraneo Editions. Translated by Jill Pittinger.
Copyright Note
Karen does not seek or receive any commercial interest or advantage from this blog. She is not promoting any business venture. She simply loves to share fascinating facts about plants. These pages illustrate her love of plants, botany, biodiversity, gardens and creative expression. There is always so much to learn about plant diversity. This blog is designed as a showcase for photography, commentary on plants and wildlife, gardens and other places visited, horticulture and related topics. Viewpoints are her own, not those of her employer.
© Karen Andrews 2018 onwards. All rights reserved. Unauthorized use and/or duplication of this material without express and written permission from this blog’s author and/or owner is strictly prohibited. Excerpts and links may be used, provided that full and clear credit is given to Karen Andrews and BotanyKaren.net with appropriate and specific direction to the original content.