Anthemis samariensis

Anthemis samariensis is a perennial chasmophyte belonging to the large Anthemis cretica complex. I first saw and photographed it in June 2007 in high-altitude cliffs in the large side valley of the gorge of Samaria at an altitude of 1775 m. Nick Turland (co-author of Flowers of Crete) went to visit the site a few weeks later and identified it as a new species.

I revisited the site several times in June 2008 (the last time with Nick Turland) to take more photos and because the plants were flowering realized that there were hundreds of plants in the cliffs. Most of these cliffs are completetely inaccessible and the rock is very friable so it is difficult to know how far down the population extends without risking life and limb.

The plants are quite tall (the flower stems are up to 25 cm tall ) and it flowers in June.
For more details see Turland, N. J. : Anthemis samariensis (Asteraceae, Anthemideae), a new species from the mountains of W Kriti (Greece) which was published in August 2008. There is also some supplementary material here.

I am quite proud of my discovery which is why this page has more photos than other flower pages on this site. I am also very pleased that Nick Turland chose to name the plant "samariensis". The gorge of Samaria holds a special place in my heart.

You can click on the pictures to enlarge.