Endemic plants of Lesvos island, Greece

Lesvos is the third largest island of Greece, after Crete and Evia, with an area of 1.636 sq.km. and a coastline of 381 km.

The variations in the landscape create a range of habitats making the island one of the most important areas for wildlife not only in our country but also in the whole of Europe. A quarter of the island is covered by olive groves, while forests cover a fifth of the island.

There are over 1,500 species of plants throughout the island. Of these, three are endemic to the island, Alyssum_lesbiacum, Alyssum_xiphocarpum and Fritillaria_theophrasti.

Alyssum lesbiacum 

Its name etymologically comes from a (the prefix expressing deprivation) + lyssa (rabies, anger) = that which cures rabies (a disease whose symptoms are anger, mania, hydrophobia).

Its habitat is rocky places in open vegetation, openings of rough pine forest, dry meadows at altitudes of 200-800 m. It is a plant with a woody base and a stem up to 30-40 cm; its leaves are ashy-grey to off-white, covered with star-shaped hairs. It has yellow flower heads. It flowers in mid-April to mid-May.

Alyssum xiphocarpum

Its name etymologically comes from xifos (sword) + carpus (wrist) = that which has a sword-like appearance and is also an alyssum, meaning it cures rabies.

Its habitat is limestone cliffs, rocky slopes and peaks, and it is found at an altitude of 200-1000 m.

Fritillaria theophrasti

Its name etymologically comes from the box where the dice of checkers were kept, which was an ancient Roman game called fritillaria.The species was named in honour of the great ancient Lesvian (i.e. related to the island of Lesvos) philosopher and naturalist Theophrastus, a student and successor of Aristotle in directing his great philosophical school.

Its habitat is forests, bushes and olive groves and it is found at an altitude of 500-800 m.

It is a protected_species in danger of extinction.