Plakias Forums
Plakias => Plakias => Topic started by: wakefossil on October 03, 2004, 09:44:14 PM
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Hi Community!
Does anybody know these flowers?
I've seen them on a beach near Chania and at Plakias beach.
I'm sure they grow on similar beaches around Crete.
I did some web research, but found nothing (except that they seem to be growing at Elafonissi as well).
Cheers,
Andy[attachment=65:attachment]
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They are called .... surprise ... Alianthos
No doubt more ino will follow
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Quote from 'The Flowers of Crete':
Pancratium Maritimum (Amaryllidacae)
Known by the common English names of Sea Daffodil or Sea Lily, this perennial has thick flat ribbon shaped leaves, 2 to 4 cm wide, often showing one or more twists in the blade. It flowers from August through October with large fragrant, very showy white flowers; their beauty inspired the ancient wall paintings of the palaces of Knossos on Crete and Thera on Santorini.
This plant is distributed throughout the Mediterranean basin, but since it is the object of indescriminate picking it is becoming somewhat rare.
If you find the odd 'orphan' bulb I can vouch for the fact they can be grown successfully in the UK under glass. I am always tempted to introduce a couple of bulbs into the sand dunes here in Gower and let some local botanist 'discover' them!
Allan
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Thanks very much for the info, Allan.
I'm glad to hear that they're not on the brink of extinction.
Andy
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Perhaps I shouldn't admit to this as I am sure I am breaking some law or other - but I took a couple of bulbs home a few years ago. I planted them in the garden (outside) and they grew but only produced leaves but no flowers.
Luvpairs.