Newsletter: December: Tom and Julia Feise's monthly newsletter

Things to Look Out for in December

© Julia Feise, FloraCretica

Owing to the dry autumn weather conditions, this year December in Crete is the month of the Cyclamen – Cyclamen graecum to be precise. These tiny, stunningly beautiful flowers can be found in profusion in many places around the island.  Their colour varies from pure white with a fuschia pink ‘nose’ to almost magenta and these vibrant flowers contrast perfectly with the silver mottled leaves.  If you are lucky enough to find a colony of these lovely flowers, take a little time to study their leaves – the amazing variation in shades and patterns is a tribute to Mother Nature’s ingenuity.  Cyclamen flowers from a corm and large examples can be as much as 30 years old.  On Crete there are two subspecies of C. graecum – albicans and  candicum .  The endemic C. creticum – pure white and slender – will not flower until the early Spring.

 

Cyclamen graecum © Tom Feise, FloraCretica

Just coming into flower at the beginning of December (again delayed because of dry conditions this year) is the Autumn flowering narcissus - N. tazzeta.  This fragrant flower has so far only be found in bloom around Elounda on the North coast during November and December, but is widespread in other areas in January and February. This species is noted for its fragrance, which is sweet and sometimes overpowering if you find yourself downwind of a large colony.  Known as ‘manoussa’ in Crete, N. tazetta must be one of the most striking of Cretan wild flowers.

 

N. tazetta © TomFeise, FloraCretica

In the west of the island can be found a large and stunning crocus – C. cartwrightianus.  This lovely bloom is similar in appearance to the endemic C. oreocreticus, but is found growing at lower altitudes.  The orange stamens are also somewhat shorter than C.oreocreticus, but overall the two species look very similar, especially to the non-botanists amongst us!  So far C. cartwrightianus has only been found in Crete in the Hania region.  We found it last week on the Rodopou peninsula, where it grew amongst a field of cyclamen. 

 

C.cartwrightianus © Tom Feise, FloraCretica

And finally, a flower common across the whole of the island is, neverthless, one of my personal favourites - Arisarum vulgare – Friar’s Cowl.  It is widespread in woodland, olive groves, scrub and rocky places (i.e. everywhere).  A type of Arum, it has pretty arrow-shaped leaves and unusual striped flowers.  Friar’s Cowl blooms now and once again in March/April and is always a welcome sight.  If you find this little bulb, look closely around you, there will be other flowering bulbs nearby.

 

 

 

Julia and Tom Feise

FloraCretica

www.floracretica.gr