Trekking expedition in Zagori

Trekking expedition in Zagori

Trekking expedition 1-8 August, 2014 Get to know the the Zagori region and Mt. Tymfi in Pindus, Epirus. Walk through the unique landscape of the National Park of Vikos – Aoos through the old stone treks and paths of Zagori and the broader mountain range…

Orchis ustulata

Orhis ustulata is relatively rare in Greece and only grows in northern mountains, such as Tymfi in Epirus

Orhis ustulata or Neotinea ustulata (burnt-tip orchid) is a European terrestrial orchid native to mountains in central and southern Europe, growing at up to 2,400 m (7,900 ft) elevation. It has erect stems carrying 2 to 3, basal in a rosette, oblong, unmarked leaves…

Cichorium intybus – Asteraceae

Cichorium intybus - Asteraceae - Zagori, Greece

Greek: αγριοράδικο, πικροράδικο, πικραλίδα Cichorium intybus, is a somewhat woody, perennial herbaceous plant usually with bright blue flowers, rarely white or pink. Cichorium intybus has a long tradition of use globally. Historically, chicory was grown by the ancient Egyptians as a medicinal plant, coffee…

Bears in Pindos, Greece

Brown bears in their natural habitat in Northern greece

Brown bear distribution range in Greece comprises 2 distinct nuclei of unequal size, covering a total of about 11,000 km², and seems to have stabilized for the last 20 years after dramatic regression in the 19th century. The study area for the ecological analysis…

Wildflower photos

Wild flowers of Pindos Mt. range in Greece

Greece constitutes the lower edge of the Balkan Peninsula and is characterized both by its mountainous relief and its multitude of islands. Its modern form evolved over the last 10 million years with the sinking of some parts of Aegaeis and the uplifting of others…

Melissa officinalis

Melissa officinalis or Lemon balm

Greek: μελισσόχορτο Melissa officinalis (lemon balm), also known as balm or balm mint and not to be confused with bee balm (which is genus Monarda), is a perennial herb in the mint family Lamiaceae, native to center-southern Europe and the Mediterranean region. It is…

Forest fruit

Prunus spinosa | The specific name spinosa is a Latin term indicating the pointed and thornlike spur shoots characteristic of this species. The common name "blackthorn" is due to the thorny nature of the shrub, and its very dark bark

The forests of the National Park of Vikos-Aoos produce a vast variety of fruit throughout the whole year. Some are mentioned below but are only a small part of the richness of the land. Crabapples (Greek: άγρια μήλα) Apple trees are typically 4–12 m…