On Lesvos there is a great variety of flora, which is determined by the variety of the island’s habitats, the particular soil and climate conditions, the particularity of its rocks, the long-term influence of man, its proximity to Asia Minor, but also from a geological point of view, recent separation of the Eastern Aegean from it.
The ancient lyric poet Sappho (6th century BC) mentions in her poems the plants of the Lesbian land, the philosopher Theophrastus (3rd century BC) systematically records a large number of plants and is defined as the founder of Botany. It is estimated that the flora of Lesvos includes more than 1500 plant taxa.The lesbian forests of olive trees, pines and oaks offer shelter to wild animals and birds, thanks to the wide variety of plants found in their understory, such as anemones, orchids and shrubs.
Eastern Lesvos
The south-eastern part of Lesvos, with the typical Mediterranean macchia vegetation, is dominated by the vast olive groves. It is the most extensive system on the island and shows clear differences in altitude, tree age, density and underlying vegetation. The rich plant diversity of the olive groves is characterized mainly by therophytic species such as Anthemis chia, Medicago orbicularis, Lathyrus sp. etc.In the eastern part of the island there are also extensive forests of Scots pine (Pinus brutia), which are also dominant. A second species of pine, the black pine (Pinus nigra) forms two forests of limited extent, mixed with the Scots pine. One forest is located on the top of Psilokoudouno between Agiasos and Plomari and the second one on the top of Mount Prophet Ilias near the village of Pterounda. Birds of prey nest in these forests, while their understory is characterized by the endemic species Alyssum lesbiacym, Alyssum xiphocarpum, and the bellflower Fritillaria theophrasti in the area of Olympus and Amali, while shrubby species such as Juniperus oxycedrus and Quercus coccifera etc. .a.In the area south of the settlement of Agiasos, the chestnut forest (Castanea sativa) of Olympus is observed, which is a cultivated area in the middle mountainous zone among other deciduous trees, a large area that creates a permanently moist microclimate, which creates the right conditions for the great plant diversity of wild orchids, cyclamen, poppies, crocuses as well as peonies that compose a unique feast of colors in spring.
Central Lesvos
In Central Lesvos around the Gulf of Kalloni the climate is slightly drier, and therefore the vegetation is characterized by grasslands with grasses (cereals) and annual species and vegetables, except of course for salt marshes and reeds in the wetland and coastal areas of the bay, which provide refuge and food for waterfowl, attracting numerous bird watchers each year.On the eastern side of the Kalloni Gulf, a mature pine forest of Tracheia Pefki grows on a small area, with sparse areas of olive trees, while the red meadow created in the spring by the poppies in the area of Meos is characteristic.Important species of the area are the oriental iris (Iris orientalis), Juncus sp., Phragmites australis and many protected orchids.
Western Lesvos
In the western peninsula, in addition to the historical vegetation of the past with redwoods, palms, oaks, cinnamons, poplars, laurels and cycads, etc. today the volcanic rocks support a low but sparse vegetation, making the landscape look bare, since the climatic conditions are dry approaching those of the Cycladic islands, with the sandy beaches bearing the few individuals of sea lilies (Pancratium maritimum).
Dominant are the typical Mediterranean scrubs with the spherical and thorny bushes between the rocks such as the astoibe (Sarcopoterium spinosum), the galastoibe (Centaurea spinosa), the aspalath, and the beautiful orchids next to the paths of the Petrified Forest. A large area is also occupied by the oak forest (Quercus ithaburensis subsp. macrolepis), with a dazzling understory of Sedum rubrum, blue centaury, pink daisies, etc.Important is the yellow rhododendron (Rhododendron luteum), the beautiful rare shrub with yellow flowers found in the forest of Parakoila as far as Anemotia, constituting the westernmost limit of its spread in Europe, and a unique jewel for the flora of Lesvos.Other species that can be found in the lesbian countryside are the wild holly (Olea oleaster), the myrtle (Myrtus communis), the oleander (Nerium oleander), the holly (Arbutus unedo), the holly (Quercus coccifera), the holly ( Cistus creticus), heather (Erica arborea), Apollo’s laurel (Laurus nobilis), spartum (Spartium j unceum), the mossy oak (Quercus pubesteus), the lathyrus (Lathyrus sp.) etc.
Aromatic herbs of all kinds such as oregano, thrush, thyme, sage, mountain tea, bitonica or siderite, lavender, mint, mint, linden, marjoram, lemongrass, etc. are found in abundance on the island.
