Mountain flora northern Greece

Mountains of Northern Greece

Pangeo
Also this mountain is in the north, but more to the east near the city of Kavala.
Along roads and a track it is possible to get in the higher regions. Although this is not a very high mountain(1956m), there are some special plants growing here like
Viola delphinantha, Haberlea rhodopensis and Omphalodes luciliae.
For more pictures of plants on Pangeo, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Vermion
This mountain lies west of the town of Naoussa and south of Kajmaktcalan. Its slopes are well forested with mainly beech. Also here we can get at the higher parts by unpaved roads, on the limestone rocks and meadows plants like Euphorbia flavicoma and the yellow flowering Crocus cvijicii can be found.
For more pictures of plants on Vermion, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Ossa and Pieria
These 2 mountains are in a way 'satellites' of great Olympos. Pieria is situated northwest of the giant, while Ossa is in a more southeast position of Olympos.
Pieria is densely forested, plants which can be found here are Geum coccineum, several Orchid species but also Crocus cvijicii.
For more pictures of Pieria, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info
Ossa is also forested, but more on the seaward side. Higher parts are more bare and here there are extended fields of Astragalus growing. Highest summit is at 197m, here grow Androsace villosa and Saxifraga scardica.
For more pictures of Ossa, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Olympos
This is of course the best known mountain of Greece, and it is quite right the Giant of the Balkans. Also from a botanical point of view its the richest mountain in Greece with some 20 endemics.
On our tours to Olympos we will spend enough time to discover the richness and beauty of this mountain.
For more pictures of plants on Olympos, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Smolikas
The Smolikas range is situated east of the town of Konitsa and is the second highest mountain in Greece. Biggest part consists of serpentinite rocks and soils with its own distinct flora.
Plants which grow in the higher parts of Smolikas are Viola albanica, Alyssum smolikanum and beautiful Dianthus haematocalyx ssp pindicola.
For more pictures of plants on Smolikas, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Timfi
The Timfi massif is south of Smolikas and is separated from it by the gorge of the Aoos river. Most parts are limestone and therefore there is a typical karst landscape with deep gorges and steep jagged peaks. A good example of this dramatic landscape is of course the Vikos gorge.
Plants which we can find here are Minuartia pseudosaxifraga, Saxifraga marginata, Drypis spinosa and Gentiana verna ssp balcanica.
For more pictures of plants on Timfi, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info

Kajmaktcalan
This is one of the most northern mountains in Greece, situated on the border with Macedonia(FYROM) and northwest of the city of Edessa. This mountain is unusual amongst Greek mountains in that the upper parts are schistose. This makes the soil acidic and wet with frequent streams and bogs and with a special flora.
Plants which grow here are for instance Crocus pelistericus and the 2 endemics
Ranunculus cacuminis and Dianthus myrtinervius ssp caespitosus.
For more pictures of plants on Kajmaktcalan, visit: www.greekmountainflora.info