Sideritis syriaca - "Cretan mountain tea"

Sideritis syriaca subsp. syriaca - called malotira by the Cretans - is the main component of the Cretan mountain tea. It grows in the mountains from June to August where it forms dense clumps of intensely white wooly leaves from which arise stems bearing pale yellow flowers.

Sideritis syriaca is endemic to Crete despite its name of 'syriaca' (Syrian).

You can click on the pictures to enlarge.