RARE
AND THREATENED SPECIES
Rare
and threatened plant species are an important category of
Parnitha's flora, either because they have
very small populations or because they are in danger due to
human impact. Some of these species, deserving our attention
and protection are:
• Paeonia
mascula (L.)
Miller ssp. hellenica Tzanoud. – white paeony
Three small populations, constituting of approximately
70 individuals, are observed on remote locations of the mountain.
It is a threatened species and immediate actions must
be taken for its preservation and regeneration.
•
Lilium
chalcedonicum L.
– red lily
It is a striking species, with four very small populations on
Parnitha. One of them is in great danger, as its population
lies next to a busy mountain trail.
•
Tulipa
hageri
Boiss. ex Heldr. – red tulip
It is observed in several fields in small populations. Its largest
population was the one at Mola's plateau, who has decreased,
due to overcollecting by the visitors.
•
Tulipa undulatifolia Boiss. (Syn: T. boeotica)
– boeotic tulip
This red tulip used to grow in
fields and meadows of low/medium altitudes,
but today is considered extinct from the mountain. It is included
in the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece,
as "Vulnerable".
•
Ebenus
sibthorpii DC.
This species is endemic to SE Greece and a small population
is found at Thrakomakedones area.
•
Lomelosia
hymettia (Boiss.
& Spruner) Greuter & Burdet
[Syn: Scabiosa hymettia]
It is endemic to C and S Greece and N Aegean. It grows in small
populations on the south slopes of Parnitha.
•
Fritillaria
graeca
Boiss. & Spruner
It is an endemic species with limited distribution in Attica,
Evvia and Peloponnese and it is in danger, as it grows along
a side road and a trail.
•
Fritillaria
obliqua
Ker-Gawler ssp. ïbliqua
This herb is mentioned in
the Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece, as
"Vulnerable". It is endemic to Attica
and Evvia and requires immediate protection measures, as several
of its populations are now extinct. On Parnitha three large
populations have been observed.
•
X
Malosorbus florentina
(Zuccagni) Browicz
A tree, mentioned in the Red Data
Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece, as "Vulnerable".
Only one small population grows in a limited
area of the mountain.
•
Asperula
baenitzii Heldr.
ex Boiss.
This herb is also mentioned in the
Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece, as "Vulnerable".
It is strictly endemic to Attica and has only
been found on Parnitha, Aegaleo and Pateras mountains. A very
small population is observed on Parnitha.
•
Amelanchier chelmea (Halacsy) Browicz
A small bush, included in the
Red Data Book of Rare and Threatened Plants of Greece, as "Rare".
It is endemic and grows on mountains of the
Peloponnese, Evvia, Parnitha and on Yioura island.
These
species are part of Parnitha's natural heritage and it is very
important for the mountain's visitors to recognize them and
protect them, not only because future generations should know
them, but most importantly, they are living monuments of nature.
