Cyprus Wild Flowers

Walking the vineyards and fields of Cyprus is a delight to the eye in springtime. The hedgerows are alive with colour, the air is filled with perfume, the wild flowers are sharing their delight.

Tulipa Agenesis (Eye of The Sun)

The wild tulip is a protected flower in the village of Polemi in the Paphos district of Southern Cyprus. There is a field that is left to preserve the flower and to encourage it to flourish once more.

The Wild Blue Iris (Gynandriris sisyrinchium)

These look wonderful growing amongst the tulips

The Wild Pink Gladioli  (Gladiolus Italicus)

These are wonderful, they sway in the breeze and when the sun catches the pretty pink petals it is a sight to see.

Mixed in with the pink gladioli are the Allium cassium, little clusters of white flowers on long stems, otherwise known as wild garlic. The yellow are the Securigera securidaca, they grow in all fields and orchards.

Chamomile grows in abundance around the hedgerows and fields.

There are various types of Vetch and others I fail to name, I will leave you to enjoy the pleasures of the Cypriot countryside.

The Wild Pea is so delicate and pretty

Salsify is also known as Goat's beard. It grows in the fields of Cyprus. It can be eaten fresh mixed in a salad or cooked. It is a nutritious plant and is beneficial for those with stomach or urinary problems.

The blue of this flower is stunning, it is part of the Borage family

The Hawthorn Tree has a strong perfume and it penetrates the air around the vineyards, mixing with Lemon blossom and Jasmine.

The Mallow is in abundance, it is around the lanes and in the fields.

Many of these beautiful plants are in danger of being destroyed by pesticides, fortunately many are used in cooking and for medicinal purposes by the villagers still, so for a while they are safe.

A Village woman collecting Tulips to decorate the church for Easter, she also has herbs and wild flowers for cooking with.

All photographs are by the author