Urginea maritima - Charybdis maritima - Drimia maritima - Sea squill

Sea squill (Urginea maritima) high above the gorge
of Samaria

Budding sea squill

Budding sea squill

Leaves of Urginea maritima in winter

Sea squill in the bay of Agios Pavlos

Two sea squills embracing

Detail

Sea squill

Sea squill
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The Sea Squill (Urginea Maritima or Charybdis maritima or Drimia maritima) is a common autumn flower which despite its name is found all the way from sea level to mountain zones in phrygana, forests and olive groves.
The tall (sometimes well over a meter) flower sprouts from a large bulb. The tall fleshy leaves grow out of the bulb in the winter (see the 4th photo from the top) but dry out in the spring. By the time the flower comes out they have generally completely disappeared.
You can click on the pictures to enlarge.